Abstract
Molybdenum (Mo) impregnated g-C3N4 (Mo-CN) nanotubes are fabricated via a thermal/hydrothermal process to augment photoelectrochemical properties during solar-driven water-splitting (SDWS) reactions. Graphitic-C3N4 is an attractive material for photocatalysis because of its suitable band energy, high thermal and chemical stability. The FE-SEM and HR-TEM comprehend the nanotube-like morphology of Mo-CN. The spectroscopic characterization revealed bandgap energy of 2.63 eV with high visible-light activity. The x-ray diffraction of pristine g-C3N4 and Mo-CN nanotubes discloses the formation of triazine-based nanocrystalline g-C3N4, which remains stable during hydrothermal impregnation of Mo. Furthermore, Mo-CN nanotubes possess high sp2-hybridized nitrogen content, and metallic/oxidized Mo nanoparticles (in a ratio of 1:2) are impregnated into g-C3N4. The XPS analysis confirms C, N, and Mo for known atomic and oxidation states in Mo-CN. Furthermore, high photocurrent efficiency (~ 5.5 mA/cm2) is observed from 5%-Mo-CN nanotubes. That displays efficient SDWS by 5%-Mo-CN nanotubes than other counterparts. Impedance spectroscopy illustrated the lowest charge transfer resistance (Rct) of 5%-Mo-CN nanotubes, which further confirms the fast electron transfer kinetics and efficient charge separation resulting in high photocurrent generation. Hence, 5%Mo-CN composite nanotubes can serve as a potential photocatalytic material for viable solar-driven water splitting.
Highlights
Molybdenum (Mo) impregnated g-C3N4 (Mo-CN) nanotubes are fabricated via a thermal/hydrothermal process to augment photoelectrochemical properties during solar-driven water-splitting (SDWS) reactions
Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of pristine g-C3N4, 5%molybdenumdoped g-C3N4 (Mo-CN), and 15%Mo-CN nanotubes are presented in Fig. 1S
The existence of ν(N–H) band in 5%Mo-CN and 15%Mo-CN samples suggests that g-C3N4 nanotubes remain protonated during the impregnation of Mo metal nanoparticles, which substantiates the stability of the triazine-based g-C3N4 structure
Summary
Molybdenum (Mo) impregnated g-C3N4 (Mo-CN) nanotubes are fabricated via a thermal/hydrothermal process to augment photoelectrochemical properties during solar-driven water-splitting (SDWS) reactions. On the other hand, bearing some outstanding characteristics mentioned above, such g-C3N4 photocatalysts showed poor carrier properties, short hole diffusion length, excitation span, weak career mobility, and shallow light penetration depth resulting in decreased water oxidation on exposure to visible light[26,27]. These issues can be addressed by tuning morphology by surface modifications, reducing bang gap energy and overpotentials for enhanced photocurrent density during SDWS. One can alter electronic band structures for better photocatalytic performance and improved electron and hole transport[26]
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