Graphitic carbon nitride nanoplatelets incorporated titania based type-II heterostructure and its enhanced performance in photoelectrocatalytic water splitting

Abstract

In this present work, the synthesis of g-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 nanocomposites with different wt.% g-C 3 N 4 to form a type-II heterostructure and its potential application towards photoelectrocatalytic water splitting was discussed. The synthesized g-C 3 N 4 nanoplatelets incorporated TiO 2 nanocomposites were characterized by various analytical techniques such as UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). HRTEM confirms the formation of type-II heterostructure consists of g-C 3 N 4 nanoplatelets incorporated titania in the nanocomposite. The photoelectrocatalytic activity of the TiO 2 , g-C 3 N 4 , and g-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 nanocomposite were investigated under AM 1.5G (100 mW cm −2) illumination in 1 M KOH. The g-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 (with 10 wt.% of g-C 3 N 4) nanocomposite photoanode exhibits photocurrent density of 142.7 μA cm −2 (at 1.23 V vs. RHE) which is ~ 1.8-fold higher than bare TiO 2 (80.5 μA cm −2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE). The enhancement in PEC activity explained by formation of type-II heterostructure between g-C 3 N 4 and TiO 2 , which reduced the recombination rate of photo-generated electron-hole pairs and also extends the absorption of TiO 2 to visible light range and boost up the interfacial charge transfer between electrode/electrolyte interface, which enhance the PEC activity of the g-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 nanocomposite towards water splitting.

MoN Nanorod/Sulfur-Doped Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Electrochemical Determination of Chloramphenicol

“…Several carbon-based materials such as graphene oxide (GO), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC), and graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) have been used for electrochemical sensors. Among them, GCN received a lot of attention due to its unique structural characteristics, large surface area, high electrical conductivity, high mechanical strength, and chemical stability. − In addition, many researchers have reported that heteroatom (S, N, P) doping in the GCN framework is an excellent strategy for improving its activity more effectively for various electrochemical applications, including sensing, photocatalytic degradation, and water catalysis. − Through this, MoN’s stability and electrical conductivity can be enhanced by forming a composite material with heteroatom-doped GCN. − As a result, the combination of MoN and heteroatom-doped GCN is expected to significantly enhance the activity of the electrochemical sensor.…”

Construction of a double heterojunction between graphite carbon nitride and anatase TiO2 with co-exposed (101) and (001) faces for enhanced photocatalytic degradation

“…It may be due to the synergistic effect between g-C 3 N 4 and (101)-(001)-TiO 2 causing a change in the spatial structure, which in turn causes a red shift. 47 …”

“…It may be due to the synergistic effect between g-C 3 N 4 and ( 101)-(001)-TiO 2 causing a change in the spatial structure, which in turn causes a red shi. 47 Another reason may be the rearrangement of energy levels caused by the formation of chemical bonds (such as Ti-O-C and C-O-C covalent bond) between g-C 3 N 4 and ( 101)-(001)-TiO 2 , resulting in the redshi of the absorption-band edge. 48 Combining the UV-Vis DRS results with the above characterization results clearly indicates that the formation of the composites may be due to chemical bonding between the g-C 3 N 4 and ( 101)-(001)-TiO 2 interfaces rather than a physical mixture of g-C 3 N 4 /(101)-( 001)-TiO 2 .…”

Synergistically enhanced solar light‐driven degradation of hazardous food colorants by ultrasonically derived MgFe2O4/S‐doped g‐C3N4 nanocomposite: A Z‐scheme system‐based heterojunction approach

“…Herein, the mentioned position of VB and condition band of MFO and SCNNS was calculated by applying the following empirical equations. [ 139,140 ] Here, the terms E VB and E CB represent the VB and CB potential, respectively. Additionally, E g depicts the band gap energy value of semiconductor and E e is the energy of the free electrons versus hydrogen (4.5 eV).…”

“…Herein, the mentioned position of VB and condition band of MFO and SCNNS was calculated by applying the following empirical equations. [139,140]…”