Abstract
Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) holds significant promise for hydrogen production due to its visible-light activity, stability, and cost-effectiveness. However, it faces challenges related to high charge recombination and trapping, which ultimately hinders its photocatalytic efficiency. In this study, we address these limitations by first modifying g-C₃N₄ nanosheets into rods through the formation of melem hydrate using an ultrasonication method. Subsequently, the melem hydrate is transformed into g-C₃N₄ micro-rods (CNR). These CNR micro-rods are further coordinated with transition metals (Ni2⁺, Co2⁺, and Cu2⁺) via a hydrothermal process. Among these samples, the Cu-coordinated micro-rods exhibit the highest photocatalytic hydrogen production rate, achieving 4 mmol/g/h. This performance surpasses previously reported novel metal-coated g-C₃N₄ materials. Notably, when compared to Ni and Co, the Cu-coordinated g-C₃N₄ produces 2.8- and 3.6-times higher hydrogen, respectively. The enhanced performance is attributed to faster interfacial charge transfer kinetics between g-C₃N₄ micro-rods and Cu, as evidenced by the highest kNT value of 0.81 ns⁻1 and kET value of 0.16 ns⁻1, measured using time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy.
Published Version
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