A novel g-C3N4/tourmaline composites equipped with plasmonic MoO3−x to boost photocatalytic activity

A novel ternary MoO3−x/g-C3N4/Tourmaline photocatalyst was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method through anchoring MoO3−x on g-C3N4, which was coated on the surface of tourmaline. From the analysis to physicochemical, photoelectric and electronic structures properties of the obtained samples, the spontaneous surface electric fields of tourmaline promoted the spatial separation of the photogenerated e−/h+ pairs, and the abundant oxygen vacancies of MoO3−x contributed to the plasmon resonance, endowing MoO3−x/g-C3N4/Tourmaline with stronger and wider light absorption ability. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of the surface spontaneous polarization electric fields of tourmaline and the LSPR effect of MoO3−x, MoO3−x/g-C3N4/Tourmaline achieved a remarkably improved photodegradation rate for RhB, presenting almost 100% removal efficiency under visible light irradiation within 40 min. Recycling experiments presented that MoO3−x/g-C3N4/Tourmaline exhibited excellent stability and recoverability. Moreover, according to the trapping experiments, h+ and •O2− were the dominant active species and a possible reaction mechanism was proposed. [Display omitted] •A novel ternary MoO3−x/g-C3N4/Tourmaline composite was successfully constructed.•Tourmaline can inhibit the recombination of photogenerated e−/h+ pairs.•The LSPR effect of MoO3-x extended the visible light absorption.•Photocatalytic activity was boosted due to the synergy of tourmaline and MoO3−x.