NiCo2O4 nanosheets as a novel oxygen-evolution-reaction cocatalyst in situ bonded on the g-C3N4 photocatalyst for excellent overall water splitting. Issue 20 (17th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheng, Cheng; Mao, Liuhao; Shi, Jinwen; Xue, Fei; Zong, Shichao; Zheng, Botong; Guo, Liejin
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 9:Issue 20(2021)
• Page Start: 12299
• Page End: 12306
• Publication Date: 2021-05-17
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d1ta00241d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : NiCo2 O4 is in situ assembled on g-C3 N4 and works as a novel oxygen-evolution-reaction cocatalyst to promote photocatalytic O2 -evolution reaction, then Pt–NiCo2 O4 dual cocatalyst loaded g-C3 N4 achieves photocatalytic overall water splitting. Abstract : A 2D/2D coupled NiCo2 O4 /g-C3 N4 nanostructure was fabricated through an in situ growth strategy. NiCo2 O4 worked as a novel oxygen-evolution-reaction cocatalyst, and the intimate interface combination by surface bonding and the related cooperative effect between NiCo2 O4 and g-C3 N4 were comprehensively explored. Consequently, the separation and migration of photo-generated charge carriers for g-C3 N4 were efficiently promoted, as well as the energy barriers of the oxygen evolution reaction were reduced. NiCo2 O4 /g-C3 N4 showed obviously enhanced photocatalytic O2 -evolution activity (4.6 times that of bare g-C3 N4 ), and the corresponding AQY achieved 4.9% at 380 nm. Then, Pt as a hydrogen-evolution-reaction cocatalyst was employed to cooperate with NiCo2 O4 to construct dual cocatalyst loaded g-C3 N4 for photocatalytic overall water splitting, in which H2 and O2 simultaneously evolved in a stoichiometric ratio of 2 : 1, and the AQY for H2 evolution reached 2.8% at 380 nm. Consequently, this work demonstrates a reliable strategy for g-C3 N4 to construct a photocatalytic system for efficient overall water splitting.