Few-Layer Fullerene Network for Photocatalytic Pure Water Splitting into H2 and H2 O2

Abstract

A few-layer fullerene network possesses several advantageous characteristics, including a large surface area, abundant active sites, high charge mobility, and an appropriate band gap and band edge for solar water splitting. Herein, we report for the first time that the few-layer fullerene network shows interesting photocatalytic performance in pure water splitting into H₂ and H₂ O₂ in the absence of any sacrificial reagents. Under optimal conditions, the H₂ and H₂ O₂ evolution rates can reach 91 and 116 μmol g^-1 h^-1 , respectively, with good stability. This work demonstrates the novel application of the few-layer fullerene network in the field of energy conversion.

Keywords: Fullerene; Hydrogen; Hydrogen Peroxide; Nanosheet; Solar Water Splitting.