Facile approach for Z-scheme type Pt/g-C3N4/SrTiO3 heterojunction semiconductor synthesis via low-temperature process for simultaneous dyes degradation and hydrogen production

Abstract

The platinum/graphite-like carbon nitride/strontium titanate (Pt/g-C3N4/SrTiO3) heterojunction semiconductor was synthesized using a facile approach for simultaneous photocatalytic dye degradation and hydrolysis of hydrogen production from simulated dyeing wastewater. Using SrTiO3, trace Pt, and the addition of an appropriate amount of electron donors, it can effectively absorb sunlight and achieve 93% dye degradation and 471 μmol h−1 g−1 hydrogen yield. The analysis result indicates that the semiconductor is a Z-scheme type composite. It was also showed that the addition of electron donors effectively promoted the degradation rate, whereas the addition of Pt changed the photocatalytic reaction pathway, which resulted in a reduced degradation rate and a significant improvement of hydrogen evolution. A reaction mechanism for this phenomenon is also proposed.