Nanoarchitectonics of Sn3O4/g-C3N4 Heterostructure Materials for Better Photocatalytic and Electrochemical Performance

Abstract

Sn3O4/g-C3N4 heterostructure nanomaterials were prepared by calcining melamine and the hydrothermal method. The microstructure and morphology of the synthesized specimen were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscope (SEM and TEM) and nitrogen adsorption and desorption (BET). The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation and the electrochemical performance was tested under a typical three-electrode configuration. The results show that the Sn3O4/g-C3N4 heterojunctions exhibit more superior photocatalytic performance for degrading MB compared with single Sn3O4 and g-C3N4. The degradation rate of MB reaches up to a maximal 90.30% within 75[Formula: see text]min, which is far higher than that of Sn3O4 (61.30%). It is attributed to the effective interfacial contact between Sn3O4 and g-C3N4, which increases charge transfer and prolongs electron-hole separation time. The specific capacitance of Sn3O4/g-C3N4 is 28.6% higher than that of Sn3O4 due to the formation of a heterostructure.