Graphitic carbon nitride/few-layer graphene heterostructures for enhanced visible-LED photocatalytic hydrogen generation

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Boumeriame, H (Author) FEUP; B.F. Machado (Author) FEUP; Moura, NMM (Author) Other; Serp, P (Author) Other; Andrade, L. (Author) FEUP; Lopes, T. (Author) FEUP; Adélio Mendes (Author) FEUP; Chafik, T (Author) Other; Da Silva, ES (Author) Other; Joaquim Luís Faria (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Vol. 47

ISSN: 0360-3199

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00W-WRA

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.05.285

Abstract (EN): Few-layer graphene (FLG, 2-7 nm thickness) prepared by catalytic chemical vapour deposition (c-CVD), and bulk graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4; GCN) were assembled to develop novel 2D/2D xFLG(y)/GCN heterostructures. The impact of FLG loading and morphology on the activity of GCN has been evaluated towards H-2 generation from water splitting under visible-LED irradiation. The heterostructures, characterised by UV-vis DRS, photoluminescence, EPR, Raman, AFM, XRD, XPS, SEM/TEM/STEM and photocurrent, pre-sent strong interfacial interaction and show higher photocatalytic activity than pure GCN. The best performing material, 2FLG(10)/GCN, generated 1274 g(-1) h(-1) of H-2, i.e., 4-times higher than pure GCN. The improved photoactivity was ascribed to a synergistic effect between GCN and FLG, owing to: i) efficient charge separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs through electron transfer from GCN to FLG, ii) increased surface area, and iii) enhanced visible light absorption. Moreover, the best performing composite presents high stability after four successive cycles with no significant change in its activity.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16