Bifunctional Ag/C3N4.5 composite nanobelts for photocatalysis and antibacterium

Nanotechnology. 2016 Sep 30;27(39):395603. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/27/39/395603. Epub 2016 Aug 25.

Abstract

Multiple functions can be achieved in carbon nitride-based composite nanomaterials by tuning their components and structures. Here, we report on a large-scale synthesis of novel bifunctional Ag/C3N4.5 composite nanobelts (CNBs) with efficient photocatalytic and antibacterial activity. The Ag/C3N4.5 CNBs were synthesized in high yield by a two-step route including a homogeneous precipitation process and a subsequent calcination treatment. The structural, morphological, compositional, and spectroscopic characterizations revealed that the Ag/C3N4.5 CNBs are composed of N-deficient melem ultrathin nanobelts and crystalline Ag nanoparticles attached to the surface of the nanobelts with good contact. The band gap of the Ag/C3N4.5 CNBs is determined to be about 3.04 eV. The efficient photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of the composite nanomaterials are verified by testing the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and the inhibition zone to bacterium E. coli. The work provides a facile route to bifunctional carbon nitride-based composites with potential applications in the fields of the environment and biology.

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Escherichia coli
  • Light
  • Nanoparticles
  • Nanostructures
  • Nitriles
  • Silver / chemistry*

Substances

  • Nitriles
  • Silver
  • cyanogen