Synthesis and photocatalytic performance of europium-doped graphitic carbon nitride

Europium-doped graphitic carbon nitride was synthesized by an easy method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), photoluminescence spectra (PL) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of dopant concentration on the rate of photocatalytic degradation was investigated through degrading methylene blue aqueous solution. The results indicated that the europium-doped samples all possessed increased photocatalytic activity and the optimal europium content was 0.38 wt.%. Moreover, a possible photocatalytic mechanism for the europium-doped graphitic carbon nitride was proposed.