Modified Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photocatalysis
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Solar-to-fuel conversion requires efficient noble-metal-free cocatalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution.
• Developing cost-effective and highly active cocatalysts is crucial for sustainable hydrogen production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a novel 2D-2D g-C3N4/Co@NC composite photocatalyst for enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution.
• To investigate the structure-activity relationship and performance of the composite under visible light irradiation.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of cobalt sheathed in N-doped graphitic carbon nanosheets (Co@NC) via surfactant-assisted pyrolysis.
• Fabrication of the 2D-2D g-C3N4/Co@NC composite photocatalyst using a simple grinding method.
• Evaluation of photocatalytic H2 evolution rates and apparent quantum efficiency under visible light.

Main Results:

• The g-C3N4/Co@NC composite exhibited excellent electrocatalytic H2 evolution reaction (HER) activity.
• The 2D-2D heterostructure facilitated effective charge transfer and improved electronic band structure.
• The photocatalyst with 4 wt% Co@NC achieved a H2 generation rate of 15.67 μmol h-1, 104.5 times higher than pristine g-C3N4.
• An apparent quantum efficiency of 10.82% at 400 nm was recorded for the optimized composite.

Conclusions:

• The developed g-C3N4/Co@NC composite is a highly efficient noble-metal-free photocatalyst for H2 production.
• The 2D-2D configuration and the Co@NC cocatalyst play key roles in enhancing photocatalytic performance.
• This work offers a promising strategy for advancing solar energy utilization and sustainable fuel generation.