G-C3N4/TiO2 nanotube array for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and TiO2 nanotubes (TNT) have made significant breakthroughs in the field of photocatalysis because of their unique features, such as environmental friendliness, low cost and good stability. Herein, we present the improved photo-electrochemical performance under AM...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current applied physics 2024-07, Vol.63, p.105-115
Main Authors: Abish, V.S. Jim, Raja, D. Henry, Davidson, D. Jonas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
graphitic carbon nitride
Photo electrocatalysis
TiO2 nanotubes
Water splitting
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Summary:Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and TiO2 nanotubes (TNT) have made significant breakthroughs in the field of photocatalysis because of their unique features, such as environmental friendliness, low cost and good stability. Herein, we present the improved photo-electrochemical performance under AM 1.5G irradiation of three different photoanodes based on TNT coated with g-C3N4 via the effortless thermal treatment of anodized TNT sheets over melamine (TNT-M), urea (TNT-U) and dicyanamide (TNT -D). A maximum photocurrent of up to 0.14 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V (vs. RHE) is obtained under illumination using AM 1.5 G light source for TNT-D, which is ten times greater than pristine TNT (0.014 mA cm−2). A good photoelectrochemical stability with efficient charge transfer is observed, and electrochemical impedance spectra reveal that better photoelectrochemical performance is due to the reduced electron-hole pair recombination via the development of heterojunction between TNT and g-C3N4 compared to the bare-TNT electrode. In this work, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) incorporated TiO2 nanotubes (TNT) is used as a photoanode for along with platinum cathode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. According to PEC tests, TNT loaded with g-C3N4 has a photocurrent up to 0.14 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE under AM 1.5 G illumination. [Display omitted] •In this work, Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is successfully deposited over TiO2 nanotubes (TNT).•Formation of heterojunction between TiO2 and g-C3N4.•Photoelectrochemical performance is improved upon g-C3N4 deposition.•A maximum photocurrent up to 0.14 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE is obtained under visible light.
ISSN:1567-1739
1878-1675
DOI:10.1016/j.cap.2024.04.009