Ionic liquid-assisted synthesis of porous boron-doped graphitic carbon nitride for photocatalytic hydrogen production. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qi, Kezhen; Cui, Nan; Zhang, Manjie; Ma, Yuhua; Wang, Guangzhao; Zhao, Zhen; Khataee, Alireza
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 272(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: g-C3N4 -- Ionic liquid -- B doping -- Photocatalysis -- H2 generation; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129953
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: This work presents a simple way to prepare boron-doped graphitic carbon nitride (B/g-C3 N4 ), exhibiting an enhanced photocatalytic performance to split water for hydrogen production. B/g-C3 N4 was synthesized via the pyrolysis of urea and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Emim]BF4 ), which was adopted as the boron source. The aggregate of B/g-C3 N4 nanosheets shows a porous structure since some bubbles are generated under the heat decomposition of ionic liquids. The porous structure is conducive to the exposure of more active sites. Moreover, B-doping will form some localized electronic energy levels in the band gap of g-C3 N4, thereby extending its visible light response. As impacted by the porous structure of B/g-C3 N4 aggregate and the narrow the band gap, the photocatalytic hydrogen generation rate (901 μmol h −1 g −1 ) is increased, almost 3 times faster than g-C3 N4 (309 μmol h −1 g −1 ). This work proposed a simple method to prepare the aggregate of B/g-C3 N4 nanosheets exhibiting pores under ionic liquid assistance. It can be a novel method to design porous polymer photocatalysts. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Porous B-doped g-C3 N4 was synthesized with ionic liquid assistance. B-doping promotes separation of photogenerated carriers in g-C3 N4 . Expanding the range of light response of g-C3 N4 by B-doping. B doped g-C3 N4 achieved high photocatalytic activity for H2 generation.