2D Nanocomposite of g‐C3N4 and TiN Embedded N‐Doped Graphene for Photoelectrochemical Reduction of Water Using Sunlight. Issue 24 (14th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shanker, Golla Shiva; Bhosale, Reshma; Ogale, Satishchandra; Nag, Angshuman
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials interfaces. Volume 5:Issue 24(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-11-14
• Subjects: g‐C3N4:TiN‐N‐doped graphene nanocomposite and 2D nanocomposite -- H2 production -- solar‐driven photoelectrocatalysis -- water splitting; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/admi.201801488
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2196-7350

Abstract

Abstract: Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a sustainable pathway for solar to hydrogen conversion. Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3 N4 ) nanosheets have the suitable bandgap and band‐edge energies to act as a visible‐light photocatalyst for water splitting, but the fast recombination of photoexcited electron–hole pair limits the efficiency. Herein, N‐doped few‐layer graphene (NFG) dressed with titanium nitride (TiN) nanocrystals (TiN‐NFG) is introduced as an efficient co‐catalyst which improved the water reduction activity of g‐C3 N4 by 16 times. The 2D nanocomposite of g‐C3 N4 :TiN‐NFG has an extended interface for efficient separation of photoexcited electron–hole pair through electron transfer from g‐C3 N4 to TiN‐NFG. The metal‐like electronic structure of TiN in combination with good charge conducting capability of NFG reduces the charge transfer resistance at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Both these aspects are responsible for the enhanced PEC activity leading to a photocurrent density of −196 µA cm −2 at 0.11 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode as a photocathode for the g‐C3 N4 :TiN‐NFG nanocomposite. The nanocomposite is stable, low cost (free from noble metals), and the extent of enhancement in the PEC efficiency for reduction reaction is remarkable compared to prior literature. Abstract : An efficient noble metal free co‐catalyst : Titanium nitride embedded few‐layer N‐doped graphene nanosheet (TiN‐NFG) is developed to boost the photoelectrochemical (PEC) reduction of water with graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3 N4 ). The huge enhancement in PEC activity is achieved owing to extended interface area at the 2D/2D heterojunction of composite promoting the superior separation of photoexcited charges in g‐C3 N4 .