Porous TiN/Red Phosphorus Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

The visible light induced photocatalytic H2 evolution from water with the help of photogenerated electrons in the TiN/red phosphorous (RP) nanocomposite is studied. The porous TiN nanotubes are obtained by nitridation (heat treatment under NH3 flow) process on hydrothermal synthesized TiO2 fibers. The RP is incorporated into the porous TiN nanotubes by heat treatment in the sealed ampules. The porous TiN nanotube provide an effective conducting channel for the photogenerated electrons, which is reflected in the enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution compared to the pristine RP.

Novel Spinel Nanomaterials for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reactions: An Overview

“…Computational analysis can be introduced for the predefined tuning of band gaps using DFT techniques so that the required band edges can be easily inserted in the spinel ferrites required for trapping the electrons during H 2 evolution. A novel strategy can be developed based on spinel ferrites-red phosphor (RP) nanocomposites because red phosphors are capable of solar energy harvesting with a band gap of 1.8 eV [22]. Spinel ferrites have a wide optical bandgap and can be combined with different transition and rare-earth elements to be used as phosphors in HER [33].…”

“…Low-cost, noble-metal-free photocatalysts are explored by Thakur et.al for efficient H 2 evolution (2531 µmol/g) based on a phosphorus-doped graphitic carbon nitride-P25 (TiO 2 ) composite and TiO 2 /g-C 3 N 4 /pg-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite [21]. The optical properties of titanium nitride were enhanced using red phosphor, meaning the resulting nanocomposite could evolve the 0.5 µmol/g/h [22] of H 2 . Sergei Poskunov et al designed a novel photocatalyst, for which a single atom of gold, silver, and copper was deposited on the surface of TiO 2 , and analyzed its electronic properties using real-time, time-dependent density functional theory (RT-TD-DFT) [23].…”

Red Phosphorus: An Up-and-Coming Photocatalyst on the Horizon for Sustainable Energy Development and Environmental Remediation

“…259 In another study, pure titanium nitride (TiN) nanotubes were synthesized by a nitridation process through the utilization of TiO 2 nanofibers as a starting material. 275 The as-developed semiconductor was subsequently decorated using RP through the latter's incorporation into the porous structure of the TiN nanotubes via a crystallization reaction. The optimized nitridation temperature and time contributed to the successful and homogeneous coupling between TiN and RP (TiN/RP), which reported a photocatalytic H 2 evolution rate of 0.1 μmol h −1 , doubling the H 2 production rate demonstrated by bare TiN nanotubes.…”

“…More notably, the cooperative impacts between the RP nanostructure and TiO 2 photocatalyst accelerated the migration and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers to significantly promote their spatial separation and participation in surface redox reactions due to the seamless, solid contact at the RP/TiO 2 interface . In another study, pure titanium nitride (TiN) nanotubes were synthesized by a nitridation process through the utilization of TiO 2 nanofibers as a starting material . The as-developed semiconductor was subsequently decorated using RP through the latter’s incorporation into the porous structure of the TiN nanotubes via a crystallization reaction.…”

“…The as-developed semiconductor was subsequently decorated using RP through the latter’s incorporation into the porous structure of the TiN nanotubes via a crystallization reaction. The optimized nitridation temperature and time contributed to the successful and homogeneous coupling between TiN and RP (TiN/RP), which reported a photocatalytic H 2 evolution rate of 0.1 μmol h –1 , doubling the H 2 production rate demonstrated by bare TiN nanotubes . The heightened performance of the composite photocatalytic system reflected the contribution from the TiN nanotubes such that the material provided an increased surface area as well as an efficient conducting channel for the separation and transportation of photoinduced electrons.…”