Functional groups to modify g-C3N4 for improved photocatalytic activity of hydrogen evolution from water splitting

Rational modification by functional groups was regarded as one of efficient methods to improve the photocatalytic performance of graphitic carbon nitride(g-C3 N4).Herein,g-C3 N4 with yellow(Y-GCN)and brown(C-GCN)were prepared by using the fresh urea and the urea kept for five years,respectively,for the first time.Experimental results show that the H2 production rate of the C-GCN is 39.06μmol/h,which is about 5 times of the Y-GCN.Meantime,in terms of apparent quantum efficiency(AQ.E)at 420 nm,C-GCN has a value of 6.3%and nearly 7.3 times higher than that of Y-GCN(0.86%).The results of XRD,IR,DRS,and NMR show,different from Y-GCN,a new kind of functional group of—N=CH—was firstly in-situ introduced into the C-GCN,resulting in good visible light absorption,and then markedly improving the photocatalytic performance.DFT calculation also confirms the effect of the—N=CH—group band structure of g-C3N4.Furthermore,XPS results demonstrate that the existence of—N=CH—groups in C-GCN results in tight interaction between C-GCN and Pt nanoparticles,and then improves the charge separation and photocatalytic performance.The present work demonstrates a good example of"defect engineering"to modify the intrinsic molecular structure of g-C3N4 and provides a new avenue to enhance the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 via facile and environmental-friendly method.

Semi-chemical interaction between graphitic carbon nitride and Pt for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Owing to the exorbitant overpotential and serious carrier recombination of graphitic carbon nitride(gC_(3)N_(4)),noble metal(NM)is usually served as the H_(2)evolution co-catalyst.Although the NM(such as Pt)nanoparticles can reduce the H_(2)evolution overpotential,the weak van der Waals interaction between Pt and g-C_(3)N_(4)makes against the charge transfer.Herein,the solvothermal method is developed to achieve semi-chemical interaction between Pt and g-C_(3)N_(4)nanotube(Pt-CNNT)for fast charge transfer.Moreover,the generated in-plane homojunction of CNNT can accelerate charge separation and restrain recombination.Meanwhile,the metallic Pt is an excellent H_(2)evolution co-catalyst.Photo/electrochemical tests verify that the semi-chemical interaction can improve photogenerated charge separation and transferability of CNNT.As a result,the photocatalytic H_(2)evolution turnover frequency(TOF)of Pt-CNNT under visible light irradiation reaches up to 918 h^(-1),which is one of the highest in the g-C_(3)N_(4)-based photocatalysts.This work provides a new idea to improve the charge transfer for efficient photocatalytic H_(2)evolution.