Facile one‐pot pyrolysis preparation of SnO₂/g‐C₃N₄ composites for improved photocatalytic H₂ production

Abstract

BACKGROUND Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) has attracted extensive attention as a typical photocatalyst. However, g‐C3N4 still needs to be modified to obtain enhanced hydrogen production activity. RESULTS Here, SnO2/g‐C3N4 composites were prepared by a facile one‐pot pyrolysis method, and showed enhanced visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic H2 production activities with the highest value of 241 μmol h−1 g−1, which was about four times that of pure polymeric g‐C3N4. The facile one‐pot pyrolysis method not only promoted effective coupling between g‐C3N4 and SnO2, but also adjusted the photocatalytic performance‐related physicochemical properties of polymeric g‐C3N4. The reduction of particle sizes of g‐C3N4 promoted the migration of photogenerated carriers to the surface and the introduction of SnO2 as electron transport material promoted the transfer of photogenerated charge carriers from g‐C3N4 host photocatalyst to metallic Pt cocatalyst, synergistically restraining the recombination of photogenerated carriers. Moreover, the increased specific surface areas and pore volumes enriched the reactive sites and facilitated the mass transfer of reactants, thus accelerating the redox reactions. Furthermore, the enhanced light absorption promoted the generation of photogenerated carriers which was beneficial for photocatalytic reactions. CONCLUSIONS This work provides an effective reference for the application of Sn species in the modification of photocatalysts, especially polymeric g‐C3N4. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.