Graphite-Like C3N4 Nanocatalysts Containing Ru, Ni, Co, Fe, Au, Ag, Cu or Zn for Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes

The graphite-like C 3 N 4 (CN) nanomaterials were synthesized, metal-doped by transition metal salts of ruthenium(III), nickel(II), cobalt(II), iron(III), gold(III), silver(I), copper(II) or zinc(II), and fully characterized. Further, photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanomaterials was investigated on photodegradation of Youhao reactive (K 2 BP), Sky Blue 108 (SB), Rhodamin B (RhB), and Methyl Orange (MO). The results indicated that the nanophotocatalysts obtained from the urea precursor have a better efficiency as well as a higher reaction rate in comparison with those obtained from the thiourea precursor. The optimization of photodegradation conditions was investigated. The kinetic study of photocatalytic degradation reactions of RhB and MO indicated that all degradation reactions are first-order kinetics, except MO degradation using metal-free CN is zero-order. Finally, the activity of the prepared nanocatalysts from the urea precursor was investigated for photocatalytic degradation of RhB and MO under sunlight. The results showed that these nanophotocatalysts have efficient activities under sunlight in addition to visible light.