Homogeneous iron‐doped carbon‐nitride‐based organo‐catalysts for sensational photocatalytic performance driven by visible light

Abstract

In this study, Fe2O3/graphitic carbon nitride (g‐CN) composites were fabricated using a simple calcination method. Iron chloride and urea were used as starting precursors for preparation of heterojunction composites (Fe2O3/g‐CN) by a quick stirring and calcination method. A sequence of Fe2O3/g‐CN composites were obtained by putting a specific amount of Fe2O3 on the surface of g‐CN at varied temperature (400, 450 and 500 °C). We accomplished a combined analysis using x‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), elemental analysis spectra (EAS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis (BET), diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and photoluminescence spectra (Pl) of resulting samples. Our findings demonstrate that Fe/CNx composites demonstrating a significant improvement in the separation of photogenerated carriers and hole formation, leading towards momentous photocatalytic activity. For the first time, the as‐synthesized composites were used for hydrogen production (water reduction) and methylene blue photodegradation under visible light illumination (λ = 420 nm). The superior sample Fe/CN450 exhibits an exceptional photocatalytic efficiency in both electron generation (hydrogen evolution rate) and hole formation (photodegradation) with a rate of 91.1% at 180 min. Along with this, Fe/CN450 has excellent photochemical stability in hydrogen evolution and pollutant removal. The potential photocatalytic mechanism of Fe/CN450 composite is compared with experimental results to characterize the photocatalytic phenomenon as a whole. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry

Organic Conjugation of Polymeric Carbon Nitride for Improved Photocatalytic CO2 Conversion and H2 Fixation

“…[23] However, upon gradual incorporation of DBP into the CNU matrix, the peak intensity of N 1s shows a slight positive shift, which can be ascribed to the nitrogen defects with extra electron redistribution after copolymerization. The solidstate 13 C NMR spectra demonstrate the characteristic peaks (243.8 and 164.8 ppm) of 3, s-triazine-based PCN, owing to the structure disturbance by aromatic incorporation. The resolution of these peaks and the signal-to-noise ratio of 13 C NMR spectra become progressively inferior.…”

“…The solidstate 13 C NMR spectra demonstrate the characteristic peaks (243.8 and 164.8 ppm) of 3, s-triazine-based PCN, owing to the structure disturbance by aromatic incorporation. The resolution of these peaks and the signal-to-noise ratio of 13 C NMR spectra become progressively inferior. In addition, a new broad peak centered at 134.3 ppm is for the modified sample and ascribed the aromatic C═C (Figure S2a, Supporting Information).…”

“…achieve the photofixation of CO 2 reduction, [11,12] and water splitting phenomenon until to a large-scale sustainable energy production. [13,14] To address, polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) has attracted much more attention due to its 2D metallic-free structures composed of carbon and nitrogen through sp 2 hybridization. [15] This PCN semiconductor has a surprisingly narrow bandgap of 2.7 eV, cheap, more availability, and activity under visible light, leading to an appropriate band position and extreme chemical stability.…”

Nanostructure Engineering via Intramolecular Construction of Carbon Nitride as Efficient Photocatalyst for CO2 Reduction

“…The synthesis of bulk CN by the direct co-condensation process limits their applications because of its low surface area and less active site [13,34,[38][39][40]. To improve the quantum efficiency in the visible light region, the above-mentioned drawbacks must be overcome that limit the applications of CN [35,41]. The fabrication of hierarchical micro/nanostructures is an effective method for addressing these issues.…”

A molecular amalgamation of carbon nitride polymer as emphasized photocatalytic performance

“…[23][24][25][26][27][28] The phenomenon of extracting solar energy production through photocatalysis and its quantum efficiency is the fundamental restriction used by semiconductor photocatalysts for water splitting. [29][30][31][32] Metal-free carbon nitride (CN), made up of carbon and nitrogen, has exceptional characteristics, including active visible light, excellent stability, and clear electronic/textural structure modulation. CN is abundant in nature and has an intrinsic band gap of 2.7 eV at appropriate costs, satisfying the criteria of overall water splitting potential.…”