Fabrication of g-C3N4 decorated Au/Zn3(PO4)2 composites for remarkable H2 production under visible-light irradiation

Abstract

In the present study, novel gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) loaded Zinc phosphate (Zn3(PO4)2)/graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanocomposites were fabricated via a facile hydrothermal routes followed by calcination. Surfactants and capping agents were not required for this method. After the samples had been produced, they were examined using a number of electron microscopy and spectroscopic methods. The data showed that the spherical Zn3(PO4)2 particles that were coated on the g-C3N4 nanosheets had a good distribution of Au nanoparticles (NPs) on their surfaces. In comparison to Zn3(PO4)2 (461 μmol−1 h−1 of H2) and g-C3N4 (171 μmol−1 h−1 of H2), the optimized composite, 0.5 wt% Au/Zn3(PO4)2-gC3N4 (95–5), showed a remarkable production rate under visible light (1241 μmol−1 h−1 of H2). The highest performing composite was characterized using UV–visible, X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), N2 adsorption-desorption, time dependent photo-current study and Current-density–potential studies. Several events were identified as contributing to the photocatalyst's performance; for example, the effective heterojunction formation between g-C3N4 and Zn3(PO4)2 under Z-scheme dynamics led to visible-light photosensitization; new electronic hybrid states of the semiconductor band energies resulted from the porosity size and shape; and the Au NPs exhibited electronic trappingsites and co-catalytic effects. These enhancements to light harvesting and charge carrier separation allowed for greater activity to be powered by visible light.