Facile fabrication of nickel/porous g-C3N4 by using carbon dot as template for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production. (27th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deng, Puhui; Hong, Weisong; Cheng, Zhiwei; Zhang, Linping; Hou, Yu
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 45:Number 58(2020)
• Page Start: 33543
• Page End: 33551
• Publication Date: 2020-11-27
• Subjects: Hydrogen evolution -- Porous carbon nitride -- Co-catalyst -- Carbon dots -- Photocatalytic; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.09.115
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Ni/porous g-C3 N4 was prepared by high temperature thermal polymerization process using carbon dots as soft template and photodeposition. With nickel nanoparticles supported as co-catalyst, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of the photocatalyst has been significantly enhanced under visible light, which is up to 1273.58 μmol g −1 h −1, superior to pristine g-C3 N4 (4.12 μmol g −1 h −1 ). This is attributed to the inhibited recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and the much better electron transport efficiency. The formed porous structure of carbon nitride could facilitate light utilization and together with nickel nanoparticles, better charge separation can be realized which are proved by the photoluminescence, time-resolved photoluminescence spectra, transient photocurrent measurements and electrochemical impendence spectroscopy. This work provides a useful route to obtain less expensive and efficient photocatalyst containing no noble metals for hydrogen production. Graphical abstract: Non-toxic, easily removable carbon dots as a soft template to synthesize porous graphite carbon nitride. Non-noble nickel nanoparticles as cocatalyst. This nanocomposite exhibits superior photocatalyst hydrogen production performance. Image 1 Highlights: Carbon dots was used as a soft template to synthesize the porous carbon nitride. Porous carbon nitride improves light utilization and accelerates electron transfer. Nickel nanoparticles were loaded on porous carbon nitride by photodeposition. Photocatalytic HER performance was enhanced with Ni nanoparticles as co-catalyst.