Nitrogen deficient porous C3N4 on carbon cloth as photoanode with enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity in hydrogen production

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical water splitting is an effective way to convert solar energy into hydrogen energy. In this manuscript, Pt-loaded nitrogen-deficient C3N4 was firmly grown on carbon cloth as a photoanode for efficiently photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) water splitting to produce hydrogen. The PEC activity of C3N4 was increased from 0 (C3N4 powder) to 2.45 mmol/h/m2. The performance was further improved to 13.49 mmol/h/m2 after the loading of Pt nanoparticles. The significant improvement in PEC performance can be summarized as the following points: (a) Carbon cloth as substrate enhanced the conductivity of C3N4 and further facilitated photogenerated charges' transfer, (b) enhanced optical absorption and emerged more active edges due to nitrogen defects and porous structures, (c) improved charge transfer and separation efficiency and increased specific surface area at nitrogen-deficient active sites, (d) Pt nanoparticles with local surface plasma resonance (LSPR) effect absorbed more optical electrons and enhanced the rate of electron transport. Therefore, Pt-NCN-CC exhibited great potentials as a photoanode for highly efficient hydrogen production.