Preparation of WO3/g-C3N4 composites and their enhanced photodegradation of contaminants in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation

A series of WO3/g-C3N4 composite photocatalysts with different mass ratios were prepared by a simple pyrolysis method, using tungstic acid and melamine as the starting materials. The microstructure and optical properties of as-synthesized WO3/g-C3N4 composite photocatalysts were investigated by X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Compared with WO3, g-C3N4 and well-known commercial photocatalysts, an improved visible-light-induced photodegradation of Rhodamine B and methyl tertiary butyl ether in aqueous solution was observed on WO3/g-C3N4 composite, due to the high carrier separation efficiency at the interface between WO3 and g-C3N4. Moreover, the photoactivity and photostability of catalyst after many runs was also evaluated.