0D/2D Van Der Waals Heterojunction of N,S-Organic Dots/g-C₃N₄ Nanosheets for Boosted Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Using solar energy to efficiently decompose water to produce hydrogen under visible light is a kind of promising green energy. A great number of hybrid materials have been developed as catalysts for photolysis of water to hydrogen. However, these photocatalysts are still limited by fast electron–hole recombination or their low quantum efficiency. In this study, novel N,S-organic dots (NSOD) were combined with g-C3N4 (CN) by ultrasonic self-assembly to form a new NSOD/CN van der Waals heterojunction photocatalyst. Photocatalytic hydrogen production of the NSOD/CN van der Waals heterojunction reached 1369.5 μmol h–1 g–1, and the efficiency is 4.25 times higher than CN. The improvement in performance is due to the formation of the van der Waals heterojunction between NSOD and CN, which effectively promotes charge separation and electron transfer. Meanwhile, the introduction of NSOD is beneficial for the visible light response of the photocatalyst. This paper reports an effective reference to construct a novel van der Waals heterojunction for applications in the field of energy conversion.

Review and Outlook of Hydrogen Production through Catalytic Processes

“…Additionally, from the viewpoint of cost-effectiveness, several non-oxide catalysts based on carbides, nitrides, sulfides, phosphides, and borides have exhibited promising activity toward catalytic hydrogen production. Apart from these catalysts, carbon-based materials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), , graphene, , graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ), , and carbon quantum dots, have been extensively used for catalytic hydrogen production. Nowadays, metal–organic framework (MOF)-based catalysts ,, have gained attention for their potential in hydrogen production from various sources, including methane, ethanol, and biomass.…”

Platinum Nanoparticles Anchored on Flowerlike Zinc Oxide Nanosheet Array Electrocatalysts for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

“…The overconsumption of traditional fossil fuels has resulted in serious environmental pollution problems and a stressful global energy crisis. − A few sensible options have drawn the attention of researchers for substitution. , Given the benefits of having a high gravimetric energy density and no carbon emissions, hydrogen is thought to be the most promising new energy source that might displace fossil fuels. , Electrocatalytic water splitting powered by renewable energy sources has gained favor in recent years as a clean, advanced technique for producing high-purity hydrogen. , Despite the inevitably sluggish kinetics and poor electron transfer efficiency, massive energy consumption is required for hydrogen production. , In this context, creating superior electrocatalysts to decrease overpotential has been thoroughly investigated. − By far, electrocatalysts with high catalytic efficiency for HER are still limited to precious metal catalysts. However, the scarcity of noble metal-based electrocatalysts and their high cost limit their large-scale application. , Developing catalysts with low noble metal loading as alternatives is a viable option. , …”

Pt-Doped Biomass Carbon Decorated with MoS2 Nanosheets as an Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution

“…The overconsumption of non-renewable fossil energy such as coal and oil has resulted in serious environmental problems. − Against the backdrop of goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, the renewable and clean energy such as solar energy, hydrogen, wind energy, and so on has developed rapidly. − Hydrogen, as a kind of low-carbon, clean, and sustainable energy, has been regarded as an alternative to fossil fuels. − Electrocatalytic overall water splitting is considered an efficient technology to produce hydrogen owing to its clean and sustainability. − Water electrolysis process has two half reactions: hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction. , However, the high overpotential and sluggish kinetics limit the development of HER, which influences the efficiency of electrocatalytic overall water splitting. It is necessary to develop an efficient hydrogen evolution catalyst to improve the efficiency of HER. − …”