Effects of the electron-beam-induced modification of g-C3N4 on its performance in photocatalytic organic dye decomposition

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was irradiated with an electron beam (EB) to improve the photocatalytic efficiency of Rhodamine B (RhB) decomposition. EB irradiation up to 200 kGy improved the efficiency of RhB decomposition, whereas further EB irradiation lowered the reaction efficiency. The chemical structure and textural properties of g-C3N4 were altered via EB irradiation. Low-dose EB irradiation introduced structural defects in g-C3N4 and increased its surface hollow depth, resulting in improved photocatalytic efficiency. In contrast, high-dose EB irradiation decreased the surface hollow depth, probably owing to intense structural destruction following recomposition.