Facile synthesis of bimodal porous graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets as efficient photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Pei; Chen, Chaoji; Zeng, Rui; Xiang, Jingwei; Huang, Ying; Hou, Dongfang; Li, Qing; Huang, Yunhui
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 50(2018)
• Page Start: 376
• Page End: 382
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Graphitic carbon nitride -- Bimodal porosity -- Hydrogen evolution -- Photocatalysts -- Alkaline thermal treatment; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.05.066
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: A novel, facile, and cost-effective approach has been developed for the preparation of hierarchically bimodal porous graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (BP-g-C3 N4 ) by KOH activation and thermal oxidation simultaneously. The BP-g-C3 N4 demonstrates a high surface area of 219 m 2 g −1, high porosity and hierarchically bimodal porous structure, which enhances the electron transport ability and photoreaction activity, enlarges the band gap, and prolongs the lifetime of the photoexcited charge carriers. Consequently, the BP-g-C3 N4 exhibits a highly improved photocatalytic activity of 1900 µmol h −1 g −1 (8.6 times higher than that of bulk g-C3 N4 ) towards hydrogen evolution and excellent cycling stability. Graphical abstract: fx1 Highlights: A facile process is developed to prepare bimodal porous (BP) g-C3N4 nanosheets. The BP-g-C3N4 demonstrates an 8-times higher hydrogen evolution rate than bulk ones. The high surface area and BP structure contribute to the enhanced photocatalytic performance.