Continuous g-C(3)N(4) layer-coated porous TiO(2) fibers with enhanced photocatalytic activity toward H(2) evolution and dye degradation

TiO(2)/g-C(3)N(4) composite photocatalysts with various merits, including low-cost, non-toxic, and environment friendliness, have potential application for producing clean energy and removing organic pollutants to deal with the global energy shortage and environmental contamination. Coating a continuous g-C(3)N(4) layer on TiO(2) fibers to form a core/shell structure that could improve the separation and transit efficiency of photo-induced carriers in photocatalytic reactions is still a challenge. In this work, porous TiO(2) (P-TiO(2))@g-C(3)N(4) fibers were prepared by a hard template-assisted electrospinning method together with the g-C(3)N(4) precursor in an immersing and calcination process. The continuous g-C(3)N(4) layer was fully packed around the P-TiO(2) fibers tightly to form a TiO(2)@g-C(3)N(4) core/shell composite with a strong TiO(2)/g-C(3)N(4) heterojunction, which greatly enhanced the separation efficiency of photo-induced electrons and holes. Moreover, the great length–diameter ratio configuration of the fiber catalyst was favorable for the recycling of the catalyst. The P-TiO(2)@g-C(3)N(4) core/shell composite exhibited a significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance both in H(2) generation and dye degradation reactions under visible light irradiation, owing to the specific P-TiO(2)@g-C(3)N(4) core/shell structure and the high-quality TiO(2)/g-C(3)N(4) heterojunction in the photocatalyst. This work offers a promising strategy to produce photocatalysts with high efficiency in visible light through a rational structure design.