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Efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen production from water by using Eosin Y-sensitized novel g-C3N4/Pt/GO composites

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Abstract

Developing an efficient dye-sensitized photocatalyst for photocatalytic H2 evolution from water is highly desired. In this study, a novel ternary g-C3N4/Pt/GO composite was synthesized via a facile liquid-phase sonochemical approach. Pt nanoparticles were firstly deposited on the surfaces and/or interlayer of g-C3N4 by chemical reduction, and then, GO was penetrated through ultrasonic treatment. This preparation method is facilitated to prohibit the agglomeration of g-C3N4 and GO because of their π–π stacking interaction and enhance electrons transport and the adsorption of dye molecules. The Eosin Y-sensitized ternary g-C3N4/Pt/GO composite shows the highest H2 production rate of 3.82 mmol·g−1·h−1 under the optimization conditions, which about 2.1 times and 7.7 times higher than the Eosin Y-sensitized binary g-C3N4/Pt and GO/Pt photocatalysts, respectively. The improved charge separation efficiency is the main reason for the enhancement in H2 evolution activity. The apparent quantum efficiency of hydrogen evolution for the Eosin Y-sensitized ternary g-C3N4/Pt/GO composite is up to 9.7% at 420 nm. Moreover, the sensitized g-C3N4/Pt/GO composite shows stable photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution under visible light irradiation. The effect of pH, g-C3N4/GO weight ratios, Pt loading amounts, dye concentrations, and different type dyes on the H2 evolution activity was also investigated in detail.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 21673066, 21471047, and 21103042), Program for Science & Technology Innovation Talents (15HASTIT043), and Innovative Research Team (16IRTSTHN015) from the University of Henan Province.

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  1. National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Applied Technology of Hybrid Nanomaterials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Nano Functional Materials and Applications of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, People’s Republic of China

    Peng Wang, Zhongjie Guan, Qiuye Li & Jianjun Yang

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  1. Peng Wang
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  2. Zhongjie Guan
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Correspondence to Zhongjie Guan or Qiuye Li.

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Wang, P., Guan, Z., Li, Q. et al. Efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen production from water by using Eosin Y-sensitized novel g-C3N4/Pt/GO composites. J Mater Sci 53, 774–786 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-017-1540-5

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