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Ultrafast Charge Injection in Silver-Modified Graphitic Carbon Nitride.
Emma K Orcutt1, Shelton J Varapragasam1, Zöe C Peterson1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|March 17, 2023
Summary
Silver nanoparticles enhance graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) photocatalysis by facilitating electron transfer, improving excited-state lifetimes and mitigating efficiency losses from defects.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photocatalysis
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) is a promising organic photocatalyst.
- Its efficiency is limited by short excited-state lifetimes due to defects.
- The role of metal co-catalysts in gCN reactivity is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the excited-state dynamics of gCN and silver-modified gCN.
- To elucidate the mechanism of enhancement by silver co-catalysts.
- To provide spectral evidence of electron transfer.
Main Methods:
- Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy.
- Time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy.
- Comparison of pristine gCN and silver-modified gCN.
Main Results:
- Direct spectral evidence of ultrafast electron transfer from gCN to silver nanoparticles was observed.
- Electron transfer rates were found to be competitive with non-radiative decay pathways.
- Electron transfer yields approached 50% in silver-modified gCN.
Conclusions:
- Silver nanoparticles effectively enhance gCN photocatalysis by facilitating electron transfer.
- This electron transfer mitigates excited-state decay caused by trap and defect sites.
- Silver modification offers a viable strategy to improve gCN photocatalytic efficiency.
