Comparison of pt and Ag as co-catalyst on g-C3N4 for improving photocatalytic activity: Experimental and DFT studies

Kezhen Qi, Shu Yuan Liu*, Rengaraj Selvaraj, Wei Wang, Zhaoxiong Yan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this work, Ag and Pt were compared as a co-catalyst on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of water spilitting into hydrogen generation. In order to prepare Ag/g-C3 N4 and Pt/g-C3 N4, initial adsorption of noble metal ions was performed on the g-C3 N4 surface, followed by reducing them by using NaBH4. Decoration of Ag or Pt nanoparticles on g-C3 N4 can extend the visible light adsorption and promote segregation of the photogenerated carriers, which contribute to an improved photocatalytic performance. Pt/g-C3 N4 has a higher photocatalytic activity in water spilitting for H2 generation (841 μmol g−1 h−1) than that of Ag/g-C3 N4 (305 μmol g−1 h−1), however, almost no H2 generation for pure g-C3 N4. For checking the photogenerated holes,·OH generation rate was tested by using the reaction of terephthalic acid (TA) with·OH to form 2-hydroxy-terephthalic acid (TAOH). On the basis of experimental results and theoretical calculation, a possible photocatalytic mechanism is put forward. It is suggested that Pt can play a better role as the co-catalyst than Ag can, due to the d-centre of Pt is closer to Fermi level than that of Ag on the g-C3 N4 surface, which can promote the charge separation and accelerate the electron transformation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)244-252
Number of pages9
JournalDesalination and Water Treatment
Volume153
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2019

Keywords

  • Ag or Pt loading
  • DFT calculation
  • G-C N
  • Photocatalytic
  • Water splitting

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology
  • Ocean Engineering
  • Pollution

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