Photocatalytic degradation and reusable SERS detection by Ag nanoparticles immobilized on g-C3N4/graphene oxide nanosheets

In this study, graphene oxide (GO) and a carbon 2D materials ( g -C 3 N 4 nanosheets) were combined to construct g -C 3 N 4 /GO nanosheets through π-π stacking interaction. Moreover, Ag + ions were reduced to Ag nanoparticles and further grafted onto the g -C 3 N 4 /GO nanosheets (Ag@g-C 3 N 4 /GO) to impart the dual functionality of photocatalytic degradation and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection. The Ag@g-C 3 N 4 /GO SERS substrate can be used to detect biomolecules (adenine) and organic pollutants (methylene blue). The X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy observations confirmed that g -C 3 N 4 was successfully stacked onto the GO nanosheets. In addition, the Ag@g-C 3 N 4 /GO SERS substrate displayed photocatalytic ability. Pollutants in water were photodegraded by irradiation with visible light (405 nm), making the substrate self-cleaning and reusable. Thus, the Ag@g-C 3 N 4 /GO SERS nanosheets has potential for application in the photocatalytic degradation of water pollutants and detection of biomolecules. • Reusable SERS substrate was made by Ag/g-C 3 N 4 /graphene oxide nanosheets. • The water pollutants can be photodegraded by visible light (405 nm). • It can be recyclable use after photocatalytic degradation of water pollutants.