Visible light induced efficient hydrogen production through semiconductor–conductor–semiconductor (S–C–S) interfaces formed between g-C3N4 and rGO/Fe2O3 core–shell composites. Issue 19 (11th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thangavel, Nithya; Bellamkonda, Sankeerthana; Arulraj, Abraham Daniel; Ranga Rao, G.; Neppolian, Bernaurdshaw
• Is Part Of: Catalysis science & technology. Volume 8:Issue 19(2018)
• Page Start: 5081
• Page End: 5090
• Publication Date: 2018-09-11
• Subjects: Catalysis -- Periodicals; 541.395
• DOI: 10.1039/c8cy01248b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-4753

Abstract

Abstract : The type II heterojunction g-C3 N4 /rGO/Fe2 O3 photocatalyst prepared by hydrothermal and wet impregnation methods for H2 production via water splitting. Abstract : Herein, we have constructed a type II heterojunction, g-C3 N4 supported rGO/Fe2 O3 core–shell composite, using a sonochemically assisted hydrothermal method followed by a wet-impregnation method for visible light driven hydrogen production via water splitting. Notably, compared to pristine g-C3 N4 (432.4 μmol g −1 h −1 ) and g-C3 N4 /rGO (876 μmol g −1 h −1 ), we have achieved ∼15 and 7.5 fold enhanced photocatalytic H2 production rates with g-C3 N4 /rGO/Fe2 O3 (6607 μmol g −1 h −1 ) composites. The improved photocatalytic H2 production performance was mainly attributed to the formation of type II heterojunctions between g-C3 N4 and Fe2 O3 mediated through rGO by forming Fe–O–C and C–N–C bonds as confirmed by XPS analysis. Moreover, the photo-generated carriers are rapidly separated through the electron mediator rGO via the Z-scheme mechanism as is consistent with PL, EIS and photocurrent studies.