Highly active TiO2/g-C3N4/G photocatalyst with extended spectral response towards selective reduction of nitrobenzene

Abstract A simple self-assembly photochemical reduction method has been proposed to prepare highly photocatalytic TiO 2 nanowire/g-C 3 N 4 nanosheet/graphene heterostructures (TiO 2 /g-C 3 N 4 /G). In this hybrid structure, graphene enhances the charge transportation during photocatalytic process, and TiO 2 nanowires prevent graphene and g-C 3 N 4 from restacking. Meanwhile, g-C 3 N 4 with a more suitable band gap, extends the adsorption edge of the TiO 2 /g-C 3 N 4 /G composite to visual-region. Benefiting from the positive synergetic effect, 97% of nitrobenzene can be selectively reduced within 4 h by using TiO 2 /g-C 3 N 4 /G as the photocatalyst. The TiO 2 /g-C 3 N 4 /G composite with 3D structure demonstrates a great potential in selective oxidation and reduction of organics for the synthesis of high added-value organic compounds.