One-Step Synthesis of Visible-Responsive Diatomite/g-C3N4 Composite and its Catalytic Degradation for Cr(VI)

A one-step synthesis of visible light responsive diatomite/g-C3N4 composite material was prepared by impregnation-calcination method. The products were characterized by Scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, Ultraviolet diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, and Photoluminescence spectrometer. The SEM results showed that g-C3N4 was successfully attached onto the surface of the diatomite. Also the composite materials were more light-responsive compared with the single phase material. The composite materials had a maximum degradation efficiency up to nearly 91.79%. The significant improvement in photocatalytic performance was due to the porous structure of diatomite, increase of contact area of carbon nitride.