Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 169 |
| Journal | CATALYSTS |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 11 Feb 2019 |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2019 |
Abstract
This work focuses on the synthesis of heterostructures with compatible band positions and a favourable surface area for the efficient photocatalytic production of molecular hydrogen (H2). In particular, 3-dimensional Nb2O5/g-C3N4 heterostructures with suitable band positions and high surface area have been synthesized employing a hydrothermal method. The combination of a Nb2O5 with a low charge carrier recombination rate and a g-C3N4 exhibiting high visible light absorption resulted in remarkable photocatalytic activity under simulated solar irradiation in the presence of various hole scavengers (triethanolamine (TEOA) and methanol). The following aspects of the novel material have been studied systematically: the influence of different molar ratios of Nb2O5 to g-C3N4 on the heterostructure properties, the role of the employed hole scavengers, and the impact of the co-catalyst and the charge carrier densities affecting the band alignment. The separation/transfer efficiency of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs is found to increase significantly as compared to that of pure Nb2O5 and g-C3N4, respectively, with the highest molecular H2 production of 110 mmol/g·h being obtained for 10 wt % of g-C3N4 over Nb2O5 as compared with that of g-C3N4 (33.46 mmol/g·h) and Nb2O5 (41.20 mmol/g·h). This enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to a sufficient interfacial interaction thus favouring the fast photogeneration of electron-hole pairs at the Nb2O5/g-C3N4 interface through a direct Z-scheme.
Keywords
- Graphitic carbon nitride, H2 evolution, Heterostructures, Hydrothermal synthesis, Niobium(V) oxide, Photocatalysis, Z-Scheme
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemical Engineering(all)
- Catalysis
- Chemistry(all)
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
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In: CATALYSTS, Vol. 9, No. 2, 169, 02.2019.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - In-Situ Synthesis of Nb2O5/g-C3N4 Heterostructures as Highly Efficient Photocatalysts for Molecular H2 Evolution under Solar Illumination
AU - Idrees, Faryal
AU - Dillert, Ralf
AU - Bahnemann, Detlef Bahnemann Detlef
AU - Butt, Faheem K.
AU - Tahir, Muhammad
N1 - Funding Information: Funding: The work was supported by the Alexendar Von Humboldt Foundation (Project No 60421802) and PSF/NSFC/Eng‐P‐UoL(02).
PY - 2019/2
Y1 - 2019/2
N2 - This work focuses on the synthesis of heterostructures with compatible band positions and a favourable surface area for the efficient photocatalytic production of molecular hydrogen (H2). In particular, 3-dimensional Nb2O5/g-C3N4 heterostructures with suitable band positions and high surface area have been synthesized employing a hydrothermal method. The combination of a Nb2O5 with a low charge carrier recombination rate and a g-C3N4 exhibiting high visible light absorption resulted in remarkable photocatalytic activity under simulated solar irradiation in the presence of various hole scavengers (triethanolamine (TEOA) and methanol). The following aspects of the novel material have been studied systematically: the influence of different molar ratios of Nb2O5 to g-C3N4 on the heterostructure properties, the role of the employed hole scavengers, and the impact of the co-catalyst and the charge carrier densities affecting the band alignment. The separation/transfer efficiency of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs is found to increase significantly as compared to that of pure Nb2O5 and g-C3N4, respectively, with the highest molecular H2 production of 110 mmol/g·h being obtained for 10 wt % of g-C3N4 over Nb2O5 as compared with that of g-C3N4 (33.46 mmol/g·h) and Nb2O5 (41.20 mmol/g·h). This enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to a sufficient interfacial interaction thus favouring the fast photogeneration of electron-hole pairs at the Nb2O5/g-C3N4 interface through a direct Z-scheme.
AB - This work focuses on the synthesis of heterostructures with compatible band positions and a favourable surface area for the efficient photocatalytic production of molecular hydrogen (H2). In particular, 3-dimensional Nb2O5/g-C3N4 heterostructures with suitable band positions and high surface area have been synthesized employing a hydrothermal method. The combination of a Nb2O5 with a low charge carrier recombination rate and a g-C3N4 exhibiting high visible light absorption resulted in remarkable photocatalytic activity under simulated solar irradiation in the presence of various hole scavengers (triethanolamine (TEOA) and methanol). The following aspects of the novel material have been studied systematically: the influence of different molar ratios of Nb2O5 to g-C3N4 on the heterostructure properties, the role of the employed hole scavengers, and the impact of the co-catalyst and the charge carrier densities affecting the band alignment. The separation/transfer efficiency of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs is found to increase significantly as compared to that of pure Nb2O5 and g-C3N4, respectively, with the highest molecular H2 production of 110 mmol/g·h being obtained for 10 wt % of g-C3N4 over Nb2O5 as compared with that of g-C3N4 (33.46 mmol/g·h) and Nb2O5 (41.20 mmol/g·h). This enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to a sufficient interfacial interaction thus favouring the fast photogeneration of electron-hole pairs at the Nb2O5/g-C3N4 interface through a direct Z-scheme.
KW - Graphitic carbon nitride
KW - H2 evolution
KW - Heterostructures
KW - Hydrothermal synthesis
KW - Niobium(V) oxide
KW - Photocatalysis
KW - Z-Scheme
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85066475262&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/catal9020169
DO - 10.3390/catal9020169
M3 - Article
VL - 9
JO - CATALYSTS
JF - CATALYSTS
SN - 2073-4344
IS - 2
M1 - 169
ER -