A 3D nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic pollutant degradation and hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) graphene-based aerogels have attracted widespread interest as promising photocatalysts for dye degradation and hydrogen production. Herein, we have developed a 3D nitrogendoped graphene aerogel (3DNG) from graphitic carbon nitride combined with graphene oxide (GO). The nitrogen dopant in the 3D aerogel was achieved via a thermal treatment at 1000 C, and the 3D aerogel catalyst could retain its 3D porous structure after the thermal treatment. The 3DNG was characterized via FTIR, Raman, TEM, UV-vis, XPS spectroscopies and BET analysis, and the results indicated that this 3DNG with a large surface area of 536 m 2 g À1 and a band gap of 2.42 eV demonstrated a high adsorption capacity and enhanced methylene blue degradation and hydrogen production under visible light irradiation. Characterization also identified that the porous 3D structure with hydrogen bonding and p-p interactions and better charge transfer resulting from the nitrogen doping are the major reasons for the enhanced photocatalytic performance over this 3DNG catalyst.

Visible-Light Photocatalytic Water Splitting and Norfloxacin Degradation by Reduced Graphene Oxide-Coupled MnON Nanospheres

“…The peak from Mn−N bonds indicates the successful nitridation of MnO into MnON. 37 Owing to its direct impact on the photocatalytic process, the BET surface area is an important factor to be considered. 38 As summarized in Table 1 the BET surface areas of MnON, RGO, and MnON/RGO nanocomposites of different compositions (1:1, 1:2, and 1:3) were measured as 112, 419, 458, 469, and 481 m 2 /g, respectively.…”

“…As shown in Figure d, the deconvolution of the N 1s peak yields four peaks at 397.5, 399.2, 400.2, and 398.85 eV and they confirm the presence of nitrogen in four forms corresponding to pyridinic N (CN), pyrrolic (N–H), graphitic N, and Mn–N, respectively. The peak from Mn–N bonds indicates the successful nitridation of MnO into MnON …”

Shining Light on Carbon Aerogel Photocatalysts: Unlocking the Potentials in the Quest for Revolutionizing Solar‐to‐Chemical Conversion and Environmental Remediation

“…Reproduced with permission. [ 51 ] Copyright 2020, Royal Society of Chemistry. i) SEM image of flower‐like CuS/graphene aerogel prepared through the solvothermal method.…”

Design and engineering of graphene nanostructures as independent solar-driven photocatalysts for emerging applications in the field of energy and environment

“…In this regard, chemical doping is one of the most promising and feasible methods to tailor the photocatalytic activity of graphene. 76,77,79–83 Chemical doping allows for the breaking of its lattice symmetry and opening a band-gap, which produces a semiconducting material with excellent properties. 80,81 Furthermore, depending upon the dopant, i.e.…”