Synthesis of novel and stable g-C₃N₄/N-doped SrTiO₃ hybrid nanocomposites with improved photocurrent and photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Hybrid nanocomposites based on N-doped SrTiO₃ nanoparticles wrapped in g-C₃N₄ nanosheets were successfully prepared by a facile and reproducible polymeric citrate and thermal exfoliation method. The results clearly indicated that the N-doped SrTiO₃ nanoparticles are successfully wrapped in layers of the g-C₃N₄ nanosheets. The g-C₃N₄/N-doped SrTiO₃ nanocomposites showed absorption edges at longer wavelengths compared with the pure g-C₃N₄ as well as N-doped SrTiO₃. The hybrid nanocomposites exhibit an improved photocurrent response and photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. Interestingly, the hybrid nanocomposite possesses high photostability and reusability. Based on experimental results, the possible mechanism for prolonged lifetime of the photoinduced charge carrier was also discussed. The high performance of the g-C₃N₄/N-doped SrTiO₃ photocatalysts is due to the synergic effect at the interface of g-C₃N₄ and N-doped SrTiO₃ hetero/nanojunction including the high separation efficiency of the charge carrier, band energy matching and the suppressed recombination rate. Therefore, the hybrid photocatalyst could be of potential interest for water splitting and environmental remediation under natural sunlight.