PCNs are polymeric semiconductor materials, which have moderate bandgap values, around 2.7 eV, making them active photocatalysts in the UV-Vis region for a series of reactions. The heterostructures based on PCNs and Au NPs have been widely studied in photocatalysts, because of the unique characteristics that arise from the synergism between them, which occur as a result of the excitation of gold by Localized Surface Plasmons Resonance (LSPR). In order to enhance the photocatalyst properties of sulfur doped PCNs and investigate the synergistic effect with Au NPs, four materials with Au NPs of different sizes and shapes were synthesized. These heterostructures were completely characterized by atomic absorption (AA), TEM, XRD and diffuse reflectance in the UV-vis region. The XRD for the synthesized materials displayed peaks characteristic for gold cubic structures. TEM images show that Au NPs and Au nanorods (NRs) are, in general, well dispersed in the material. In addition, bandgap values ​​for composites have decreased compared to pure PCN. Then, the Au NPs and Au NRs increase the photocatalytic activities of the materials and give hybrid photocatalysts a wide range of absorption of light.

Highlights

• Active polymeric semiconductors in the UV-Vis region.
• Synthesis of four new hybrid heterostructures based on PCN with gold NPs in their structures.
• Tuning of the electronic properties of PCN.