Photocatalytic decomposition of NO over g-CN/WO photocatalysts.

Although the nitrous oxide belongs among three of the most contributing greenhouse gases to global warming, it is quite neglected by photocatalytic society. The g-CN and WO composites were therefore tested for the photocatalytic decomposition of NO for the first time. The pure photocatalysts were prepared by simple calcination of precursors, and the composites were prepared by mixing of suspension of pure components in water followed by calcination. The structural (X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy), textural (N physisorption), and optical properties (diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, photoelectrochemical measurements) of all composites were correlated with photocatalytic activity. The experimental results and results from characterization techniques confirmed creation of Z-scheme in the WO/g-CN composites, which was confirmed by hydroxyl radicals' trapping measurements. The photocatalytic decomposition of NO was carried out in the presence of UVA light (peak intensity at 365 nm) and the 1:2 WO/g-CN composite was the most active one, but the photocatalytic activity was just negligibly higher than that of pure WO. This is caused by relatively weak interaction between WO and g-CN which was revealed from XPS.