Photocatalytic Decomposition of N2O by Using Nanostructured Graphitic Carbon Nitride/Zinc Oxide Photocatalysts Immobilized on Foam

Abstract

The aim of this work was to deposit cost-effective g-C3N4/ZnO nanocomposite photocatalysts (weight ratios of g-C3N4:ZnO from 0.05:1 to 3:1) as well as pure ZnO and g-C3N4 on Al2O3 foam and to study their photocatalytic efficiency for the photocatalytic decomposition of N2O, which was studied in a home-made batch photoreactor under ultraviolet A irradiation (λ = 365 nm). Based on the photocatalysis measurements, it was found that photocatalytic decomposition of N2O in the presence of all the prepared samples was significantly higher in comparison with photolysis. The photoactivity of the investigated nanocomposite photocatalysts increased in the following order: g-C3N4/ZnO (3:1) ≈ g-C3N4/ZnO (0.45:1) ≤ g-C3N4/ZnO (2:1) ZnO < g-C3N4 < g-C3N4/ZnO (0.05:1). The g-C3N4/ZnO (0.05:1) nanocomposite showed the best photocatalytic behavior and the most effective separation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs from all nanocomposites. The key roles played in photocatalytic activity were the electron–hole separation and the position and potential of the valence and conduction band. On the other hand, the specific surface area and band gap energy were not the significant factors in N2O photocatalytic decomposition. Immobilization of the photocatalyst on the foam permits facile manipulation after photocatalytic reaction and their repeated application.