Promotion of CeO2–TiO2 photoactivity by g-C3N4: Ultraviolet and visible light elimination of toluene

Promotion of a CeO2–TiO2 photocatalyst by variable quantities of g-C3N4 was essayed with a combination of microemulsion and impregnation preparative methods. The resulting materials were characterized with the help of X-ray diffraction and photoelectron, infrared, UV–visible and photoluminescence spectroscopies and transmission electron microscopy. The photoactivity of the materials in the elimination of toluene was evaluated under UV and sunlight-type illumination conditions and quantitatively analyzed through the calculation of the corresponding quantum yield values. Irrespective of the illumination conditions, maximum activity was observed for the sample promoted with a 1 wt.% of carbon nitride. The characterization study unveiled the interplay between the different components of the ternary system and allowed spotting out the key physico-chemical variables governing photoactivity.
A. Kubacka and M.J. Muñoz-Batista thank MINECO for support thought, respectively, the postdoctoral „Ramón y Cajal” and predoctoral FPI programs. Financial support by MINECO is also acknowledged (projects CTQ2010-14872/BQU and PRPPRI-PIBJP-2011-0914).