Construction of stable Ta ₃ N ₅ /g-C ₃ N ₄ metal/non-metal nitride hybrids with enhanced visible-light photocatalysis

In this paper, a novel Ta ₃ N ₅ /g-C ₃ N ₄ metal/non-metal nitride hybrid was successfully synthesized by a facile impregnation method. The photocatalytic activity of Ta ₃ N ₅ /g-C ₃ N ₄ hybrid nitrides was evaluated by the degradation of organic dye rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation, and the result indicated that all Ta ₃ N ₅ /g-C ₃ N ₄ samples exhibited distinctly enhanced photocatalytic activities for the degradation of RhB than pure g-C ₃ N ₄ . The optimal Ta ₃ N ₅ /g-C ₃ N ₄ composite sample, with Ta ₃ N ₅ mass ratio of 2%, demonstrated the highest photocatalytic activity, and its degradation rate constant was 2.71 times as high as that of pure g-C ₃ N ₄ . The enhanced photocatalytic activity of this Ta ₃ N ₅ /g-C ₃ N ₄ metal/metal-free nitride was predominantly attributed to the synergistic effect which increased visible-light absorption and facilitated the efficient separation of photoinduced electrons and holes. The Ta ₃ N ₅ /g-C ₃ N ₄ hybrid nitride exhibited excellent photostability and reusability. The possible mechanism for improved photocatalytic performance was proposed. Overall, this work may provide a facile way to synthesize the highly efficient metal/metal-free hybrid nitride photocatalysts with promising applications in environmental purification and energy conversion.