A facile synthesis of g-C₃N₄/WS₂ heterojunctions with enhanced photocatalytic reduction activity of U(VI)

Photocatalytic reduction of U(VI) is an economical and efficient method to remove U(VI) from uranium-containing wastewater, so it becomes particularly vital to find an effective photocatalyst. In this study, the g-C₃N₄/WS₂ samples were prepared to reduce U(VI) by in-situ thermal polymerization. The g-C₃N₄/WS₂ samples show excellent performance in the interface carriers transfer and photogenerated carriers separation. The results showed the optimal photocatalyst was CN/WS₂-5 (pH = 5.0), which was 3.1 times upper than that of pure g-C₃N₄. Furthermore, CN/WS₂-5 exhibited photoreduction stability and recyclability. Based on its facile preparation and high-efficiency reaction activity, CN/WS₂-5 is excellent photocatalyst for the practical development of photocatalysis. (author)