Fabrication of H3PW12O40-doped carbon nitride nanotubes by one-step hydrothermal treatment strategy and their efficient visible-light photocatalytic activity toward representative aqueous persistent organic pollutants degradation

A series of H 3 PW 12 O 40 -doped carbon nitride nanotubes (H 3 PW 12 O 40 /C 3 N 4 NTs) are prepared using one-step hydrothermal treatment, with g-C 3 N 4 and H 3 PW 12 O 40 as precursors. The morphology, porosity, phase, chemical structure, and optical and electronic properties of H 3 PW 12 O 40 /C 3 N 4 NTs are characterized. Subsequently, the photocatalytic activity of H 3 PW 12 O 40 /C 3 N 4 NTs is evaluated through the degradation of representative aqueous persistent organic pollutants methyl orange and diethyl phthalate under visible-light ( λ   >   420   nm) irradiation. The photocatalytic activity of H 3 PW 12 O 40 /C 3 N 4 NTs is significantly enhanced compared with g-C 3 N 4 as a result of its unique tubular nanostructure, enhanced quantum efficiency, and high light utilization efficiency. Finally, the reusability of H 3 PW 12 O 40 /C 3 N 4 NTs is evaluated under four consecutive photocatalytic runs.