Co₃O₄ Modified C₃N₄ Catalysts with Enhanced Photodegradation Performance toward Methyl Blue

Jie Teng, Quan-Liang Chen, Wen-Xin Long, Qian Chen, Cheng-Yuan Pei, Yu Duan, Yu-Xin Feng, Jing-Qi Fu

Different loading rates of photocatalysts Co₃O₄/C₃N₄ were prepared by calcination method. Their photocatalytic performances were evaluated by the degradation of methyl blue under visible light irradiation. The results show that the introduction of Co₃O₄ significantly improves the optical absorption properties of C₃N₄, which is beneficial to the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes on the surface of catalyst. The prepared Co₃O₄/C₃N₄ for visible photocatalytic degradation of methyl blue has higher catalytic efficiency than that of pure C₃N₄ or pure Co₃O₄. The best cobalt loading rate was 30% when the concentration of methylene blue was 40 mg/L. Recycling rate of 30% Co₃O₄/C₃N₄ composite catalyst was studied. After 4 cycles, the degradation rate was only slightly decreased from 86.8% to 82.8%, indicating the catalyst with good photostability and repeatability.