Sulfate modified g-C3N4 with enhanced photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution: the role of sulfate in photocatalysis

Jiang, Yabin1,2; Sun, Zongzhao2,3; Chen, Qianwen2; Zhao, Yun2; Zeng, Lei2; Yang, Chunzhen1; Huang, Feng1; Huang, Limin2,4

2020-05-14

10.1039/c9cp07002h

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS   影响因子和分区

1463-9076

1463-9084

Sulfate modified graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was prepared by simple co-pyrolysis of dicyandiamide and ammonium sulfate, and shows seven times higher photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen production than pristine g-C3N4. The origin of its improved photocatalytic activity was comprehensively investigated, and it was found that there are two kinds of sulfate (strongly adsorbed sulfate and a weakly adsorbed one) in the modified sample, both of which play important but slightly different roles in the photocatalysis. Compared to the strongly adsorbed one, the weakly adsorbed sulfate is more beneficial for charge separation and thus promotes more electrons to participate in the photocatalytic reaction. By applying the above synthesis method, most sulfate in our best photocatalyst exists as weakly adsorbed species, which is confirmed by advanced characterization techniques as well as DFT calculations. The increased number of electrons and improved charge separation, which are induced by the weakly adsorbed sulfate, are key to boosting the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4. Hence, this work provides comprehensive insights into the effect of sulfate on the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4, which help in the design of more efficient photocatalysts by suitable surface modification.

SCI ; EI

英语

通讯

National Natural Science Foundation of China[21703097] ; Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team Program[2016ZT06N532] ; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Materials for Electric Power[2018B030322001] ; Shenzhen Clean Energy Research Institute[CERI-KY-2019-003]

Chemistry ; Physics

Chemistry, Physical ; Physics, Atomic, Molecular & Chemical

WOS:000535921700018

ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY

20202508854796

Design for testability ; Photocatalytic activity ; Pyrolysis ; Carbon nitride ; Hydrogen production

Gas Fuels:522 ; Physical Chemistry:801.4 ; Chemical Reactions:802.2

CHEMISTRY

Web of Science

1.Sun Yat Sen Univ, Sch Mat, State Key Lab Optoelect Mat & Technol, Guangzhou 510275, Peoples R China
2.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Chem, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, Peoples R China
3.Harbin Inst Technol, Sch Chem & Chem Engn, Harbin 150001, Peoples R China
4.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Guangdong Prov Key Lab Energy Mat Elect Power, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, Peoples R China

Jiang, Yabin,Sun, Zongzhao,Chen, Qianwen,et al. Sulfate modified g-C3N4 with enhanced photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution: the role of sulfate in photocatalysis[J]. PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS,2020,22(18):10116-10122.

Jiang, Yabin.,Sun, Zongzhao.,Chen, Qianwen.,Zhao, Yun.,Zeng, Lei.,...&Huang, Limin.(2020).Sulfate modified g-C3N4 with enhanced photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution: the role of sulfate in photocatalysis.PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS,22(18),10116-10122.

Jiang, Yabin,et al."Sulfate modified g-C3N4 with enhanced photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution: the role of sulfate in photocatalysis".PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS 22.18(2020):10116-10122.