Noble Metal-Free TiO(2)-Coated Carbon Nitride Layers for Enhanced Visible Light-Driven Photocatalysis

Composites of g-C(3)N(4)/TiO(2) were one-step prepared using electron impact with dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma as the electron source. Due to the low operation temperature, TiO(2) by the plasma method shows higher specific surface area and smaller particle size than that prepared via conventional calcination. Most interestingly, electron impact produces more oxygen vacancy on TiO(2), which facilitates the recombination and formation of heterostructure of g-C(3)N(4)/TiO(2). The composites have higher light absorption capacity and lower charge recombination efficiency. g-C(3)N(4)/TiO(2) by plasma can produce hydrogen at a rate of 219.9 μmol·g(−1)·h(−1) and completely degrade Rhodamine B (20mg·L(−1)) in two hours. Its hydrogen production rates were 3 and 1.5 times higher than that by calcination and pure g-C(3)N(4), respectively. Electron impact, ozone and oxygen radical also play key roles in plasma preparation. Plasma has unique advantages in metal oxides defect engineering and the preparation of heterostructured composites with prospective applications as photocatalysts for pollutant degradation and water splitting.