Solar light-driven photocatalytic degradation of phenol on S-doped nanoporous carbons: The role of functional groups in governing activity and selectivity

Metal-free nanoporous carbons, either as received or sulfur doped, have been studied as photocatalysts for the degradation of phenol under solar light irradiation. The introduction of sulfur significantly enhanced both phenol adsorption and photodegradation. The texture and surface chemistry of the catalysts tested were evaluated using adsorption of nitrogen, thermal analysis, potentiometric titration and XPS. Various parameters related to the...