Bifunctional catalyst based on molecular structure: Spherical mesoporous TiO2 and gCN for photocatalysis.

• Bifunctional composite photocatalyst based on mTiO 2 and ex-gCN was synthesized. • mTiO 2 _ex-gCN boosted two photocatalytic processes: RhB removal and H 2 evolution. • mTiO 2 _ex-gCN evolved 70 times higher amount of H 2 than pristine ex-gCN. • The improved photocatalytic property is due to synergic effect of both components. Here, we designed a molecular structure fabrication route based on spherical mesoporous TiO 2 and exfoliated graphitic carbon nitride (mTiO 2 _ex-gCN) by combining hard templating and hydrothermal methods. The mTiO 2 _ex-gCN boosted two photocatalytic processes: hydrogen evolution under simulated solar illumination and degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) with the assistance of UV–vis and visible light irradiations. RhB degradation under UV–vis light was 2.94 and 1.39 times higher than ex-gCN and mTiO 2 , respectively. Additionally, dye degradation under visible light was enhanced by a 1.22 factor in respect to ex-gCN. However, a more spectacular performance was detected in the process of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution – the efficiency of the catalyst yielded a 70 times higher amount of H 2 in respect to ex-gCN. It is proposed that enhanced photocatalytic activity is due to synergy provided by individual counterparts, which tuned energy band gap, improved specific surface area, and enhanced ability to suppress the charge carrier recombination. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]