Interfacial Construction of Zero-Dimensional/One-Dimensional g-C3N4 Nanoparticles/TiO2 Nanotube Arrays with Z-Scheme Heterostructure for Improved Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Xiao, Limin; Liu, Taifeng; Zhang, Min; Li, Qiuye; Yang, Jianjun

doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b05392

Cited by 121 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The investigation by Yang et al shows IPCE extended to visible region as in the absorption edge of C3N4 decorated TiO2 red shifted compared to that of TiO2 [28]. Similar trends were noticed with several TiO2/C3N4 systems [29,30].…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 55%

“…Based on the aforementioned discussion and the previous reports, plausible mechanism has been depicted in Figure 7 [29][30][31]33]. The band diagram of TiO 2 and C 3 N 4 heterojunction can be envisaged as displayed in Figure 7.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…The obtained IPCE spectra are in consistent with the absorption spectra of TiO2/C3N4-T, TiO2/C3N4-CM, TiO2/C3N4-CMT and TiO2 where TiO2/C3N4 photoanodes exhibit slight decrease in the band gap (Figure 5b). The enhanced IPCE for TiO2/C3N4-CMT could be due to improved charge separation at the interface as TiO2 forms staggered band alignment with C3N4 [29][30][31].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of C3N4 Precursors on Photoelectrochemical Behavior of TiO2/C3N4 Photoanode for Solar Water Oxidation

et al. 2020

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Photoelectrochemical water splitting is considered as a long-term solution for the ever-increasing energy demands. Various strategies have been employed to improve the traditional TiO2 photoanode. In this study, TiO2 nanorods were decorated by graphitic carbon nitride (C3N4) derived from different precursors such as thiourea, melamine, and a mixture of thiourea and melamine. Photoelectrochemical activity of TiO2/C3N4 photoanode can be modified by tuning the number of precursors used to synthesize C3N4. C3N4 derived from the mixture of melamine and thiourea in TiO2/C3N4 photoanode showed photocurrent density as high as 2.74 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE. C3N4 synthesized by thiourea showed particle-like morphology, while melamine and melamine with thiourea derived C3N4 yielded two dimensional (2D) nanosheets. Nanosheet-like C3N4 showed higher photoelectrochemical performance than that of particle-like nanostructures as specific surface area, and the redox ability of nanosheets are believed to be superior to particle-like nanostructures. TiO2/C3N4 displayed excellent photostability up to 20 h under continuous illumination. Thiourea plays an important role in enhancing the photoelectrochemical performance of TiO2/C3N4. This study emphasizes the fact that the improved photoelectrochemical performance can be achieved by varying the precursors of C3N4 in TiO2/C3N4 heterojunction. This is the first report to show the influence of C3N4 precursors on photoelectrochemical performance in TiO2/C3N4 systems. This would pave the way to explore different precursors influence on C3N4 with respect to the photoelectrochemical response of TiO2/C3N4 heterojunction photoanode.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 55%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 81%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of C3N4 Precursors on Photoelectrochemical Behavior of TiO2/C3N4 Photoanode for Solar Water Oxidation

et al. 2020

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“…[ 13 ] Xiao et al fabricated a Z‐scheme 0D g‐C 3 N 4 particles/1D TO nanotube arrays heterostructure to promote charge carriers separation and transfer processes, thus improve the PEC water splitting ability. [ 14 ] Wang et al prepared a nanostructured g‐C 3 N 4 /BiVO 4 composite films, and the photocurrent density was approximately 15 times as that of BiVO 4 photoelectrode, which was ascribed to the formation of a type II heterostructure between g‐C 3 N 4 and BiVO 4 . [ 15 ]…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance by Interface Engineering in Ternary g‐C₃N₄/TiO₂/PbTiO₃ Films

Wang

Zheng

Weng

et al. 2020

Adv Materials Inter

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Ferroelectric materials recently rise as promising candidates in solar energy harvesting owing to their unconventional photophysics, such as above-bandgap photovoltage, [6] tunable photovoltaic outputs, and birefractive behaviors. [7] These unique properties stem from the centrosymmetry breaking and spontaneous polarization of ferroelectrics, which produces an internal field that drives the efficient separation of photocarriers. [8] PbTiO 3 (PTO), as a prototypical ferroelectric perovskite oxide, stands out as a potential material for PEC applications due to its robust room temperature ferroelectricity and huge polarization. [9] Also, noble-metal decoration or other semiconductors compositing were used to further improve the PEC performance of PTO. For example, Chao et al. utilized a hydrothermal method to synthesize Au island decorated single-domain PTO nanoplates, and the composite demonstrated an efficient photocatalytic degradation of RhB performance. [10] Lekha et al. engineered a series of PTO/LaCrO3 p-n junction through a two-step combustion process, and found that the optimal photocurrent density was 4.5 times larger than that of pure PTO photoelectrode. [11] Recently, metal-free polymeric semiconductor, graphitelike carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) has attracted much attention due to its moderate band gap of 2.7 eV and inherent chemical and thermal stability compared to transitional metal oxides and sulfide. [12] However, the high photocarrier recombination rate and poor quantum efficiency has driven the effort to construct various composite structures to alleviate these deficiencies of pure g-C 3 N 4 . [13] Xiao et al. fabricated a Z-scheme 0D g-C 3 N 4 particles/1D TO nanotube arrays heterostructure to promote charge carriers separation and transfer processes, thus improve the PEC water splitting ability. [14] Wang et al. prepared a nanostructured g-C 3 N 4 /BiVO 4 composite films, and the photocurrent density was approximately 15 times as that of BiVO 4 photoelectrode, which was ascribed to the formation of a type II heterostructure between g-C 3 N 4 and BiVO 4 . [15] In this study, we fabricated the polycrystalline PTO film by a sol-gel method, and the g-C 3 N 4 were than decorated on the surface of the PTO film through chemical vapor deposition method to improve the PEC performance. To further improve the PEC performance, a TO buffer layer was inserted between PTO and g-C 3 N 4 , which was widely used as electrons transport layer in solar cells. [16] The optimal photocurrent density of CN/TO/PTO photoelectrode was 4.5 times higher than that Polycrystalline ferroelectric PbTiO 3 (PTO) films deposited on transparent fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass have been proved to be a photocathode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. However, the hitherto reported PEC performances remain inferior to meet the requirements for practical applications. Herein, it is reported that a compact TiO 2 (TO) buffer layer, inserted between PTO and g-C 3 N 4 (CN), improves significantly its PEC performance. The o...

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“…(K) Schematic illustration of carrier transfer, (L) transient photocurrent responses ( J ‐ t ), and (M) LSV curves for OV‐TiO 2 /g‐C 3 N 4 NTA. (Reproduced with permission: Copyright 2018, American Chemical Society 111 …”

Section: Wide Bandgap Metal Oxide/g‐c3n4 Heteroarrays As Photoanodesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄)‐based nanosized heteroarrays: Promising materials for photoelectrochemical water splitting

et al. 2020

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Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is recognized as a sustainable strategy for hydrogen generation due to its abundant hydrogen source, utilization of inexhaustible solar energy, high‐purity product, and environment‐friendly process. To actualize a practical PEC water splitting, it is paramount to develop efficient, stable, safe, and low‐cost photoelectrode materials. Recently, graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) has aroused a great interest in the new generation photoelectrode materials because of its unique features, such as suitable band structure for water splitting, a certain range of visible light absorption, nontoxicity, and good stability. Some inherent defects of g‐C3N4, however, seriously impair further improvement on PEC performance, including low electronic conductivity, high recombination rate of photogenerated charges, and limited visible light absorption at long wavelength range. Construction of g‐C3N4‐based nanosized heteroarrays as photoelectrodes has been regarded as a promising strategy to circumvent these inherent limitations and achieve the high‐performance PEC water splitting due to the accelerated exciton separation and the reduced combination of photogenerated electrons/holes. Herein, we summarize in detail the latest progress of g‐C3N4‐based nanosized heteroarrays in PEC water‐splitting photoelectrodes. Firstly, the unique advantages of this type of photoelectrodes, including the highly ordered nanoarray architectures and the heterojunctions, are highlighted. Then, different g‐C3N4‐based nanosized heteroarrays are comprehensively discussed, in terms of their fabrication methods, PEC capacities, and mechanisms, etc. To conclude, the key challenges and possible solutions for future development on g‐C3N4‐based nanosized heteroarray photoelectrodes are discussed.

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Interfacial Construction of Zero-Dimensional/One-Dimensional g-C₃N₄ Nanoparticles/TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays with Z-Scheme Heterostructure for Improved Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Cited by 121 publications

References 42 publications

Influence of C3N4 Precursors on Photoelectrochemical Behavior of TiO2/C3N4 Photoanode for Solar Water Oxidation

Influence of C3N4 Precursors on Photoelectrochemical Behavior of TiO2/C3N4 Photoanode for Solar Water Oxidation

Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance by Interface Engineering in Ternary g‐C₃N₄/TiO₂/PbTiO₃ Films

Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄)‐based nanosized heteroarrays: Promising materials for photoelectrochemical water splitting

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Interfacial Construction of Zero-Dimensional/One-Dimensional g-C3N4 Nanoparticles/TiO2 Nanotube Arrays with Z-Scheme Heterostructure for Improved Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Cited by 121 publications

References 42 publications

Influence of C3N4 Precursors on Photoelectrochemical Behavior of TiO2/C3N4 Photoanode for Solar Water Oxidation

Influence of C3N4 Precursors on Photoelectrochemical Behavior of TiO2/C3N4 Photoanode for Solar Water Oxidation

Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance by Interface Engineering in Ternary g‐C3N4/TiO2/PbTiO3 Films

Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4)‐based nanosized heteroarrays: Promising materials for photoelectrochemical water splitting

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Interfacial Construction of Zero-Dimensional/One-Dimensional g-C₃N₄ Nanoparticles/TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays with Z-Scheme Heterostructure for Improved Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance by Interface Engineering in Ternary g‐C₃N₄/TiO₂/PbTiO₃ Films

Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄)‐based nanosized heteroarrays: Promising materials for photoelectrochemical water splitting