Improvement of g-C3N4 photocatalytic properties using the Hummers method

[Display omitted] •The Hummers treatment exfoliated the bulk g-C3N4 nanosheets into nanorods.•The bandgap increased from 2.72eV to 2.85eV due to the Hummers treatment.•The photocatalytic activities of g-C3N4 are improved to 96.61%. In this study, graphitic C3N4 (g-C3N4) with high photocatalytic properties to methylene blue (MB) was synthesized by treating the bulk g-C3N4 using the Hummers method. The bulk g-C3N4 was obtained by calcining dicyandiamide. The g-C3N4 treated by the Hummers method (E-g-C3N4) was characterized and utilized for the photocatalytic removal of MB. The results showed that the Hummers treatment exfoliated the nanosheets bulk g-C3N4 into nanorods and improved the dispersion of E-g-C3N4 in an aqueous solution. It also distinctly enhanced the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 to MB, i.e., the removal efficiency increased from 38.45% for the bulk g-C3N4 to 96.61% for the E-g-C3N4.