ZIF-67 derived Co@NC/g-C3N4 as a photocatalyst for enhanced water splitting H2 evolution

Yuanyuan Li; Shengli Zhu; Xiangchen Kong; Yanqin Liang; Zhaoyang Li; Shuilin Wu; Chuntao Chang; Shuiyuan Luo; Zhenduo Cui

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.111002

ZIF-67 derived Co@NC/g-C₃N₄ as a photocatalyst for enhanced water splitting H₂ evolution

Environ Res. 2021 Jun:197:111002. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111002. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Authors

Yuanyuan Li¹, Shengli Zhu², Xiangchen Kong³, Yanqin Liang¹, Zhaoyang Li¹, Shuilin Wu¹, Chuntao Chang⁴, Shuiyuan Luo⁵, Zhenduo Cui⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
² School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, China; College of Chemistry Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, 362000, Fujian, China. Electronic address: slzhu@tju.edu.cn.
³ School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Mobile Source Emission Control Technology, China Automotive Technology & Research Center Co., Ltd., Tianjin, 300300, China.
⁴ School of Mechanical Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan, 523808, China. Electronic address: changct@dgut.edu.cn.
⁵ College of Chemistry Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, 362000, Fujian, China.
⁶ School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China. Electronic address: zdcui@tju.edu.cn.

PMID: 33774016
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111002

Abstract

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), as the one of the most promising photocatalysts, usually relies on noble metal co-catalysts in the photocatalytic water splitting H₂ evolution process, which greatly increases the use cost. Here, a zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF-67) derived Co@NC/g-C₃N₄ composite was constructed through facile thermal condensation of ZIF-67 and melamine. The obtained Co@NC/g-C₃N₄ composites can drive water splitting H₂ evolution without any noble metal co-catalyst under simulated sunlight. The optimal sample exhibits the highest H₂ evolution rate of 161 μmol g^-1·h^-1, which is 6 times of pure g-C₃N₄. The N doped carbon in carbonized ZIF-67 can not only quickly capture separated electrons from g-C₃N_4, but also serve as the co-catalyst. The well dispersed cobalt intermediate on carbonized ZIF-67 also play a role in promoting electron conversion. The formation of junction between carbonized ZIF-67 and g-C₃N₄ could promote quick charge carrier separation and transfer. This work provides a new idea for photocatalytic H₂ evolution without noble metal co-catalysis.

Keywords: G-C(3)N(4); H(2) evolution; N doped carbon; Photocatalyst.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Catalysis
Water*

Substances

Water