Unleashing rGO decorated LaxBi1-xVO4/ByC3-yN4 catalyst for solar driven hydrogen production

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2025-01, Vol.98, p.1374-1385
• Main Authors: Rajankumar, Vijay Vel, Chidambaram, Siva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hydrogen production; Layered materials; Pt free water splitting; Solar photocatalysis; Sustainability
• ISSN: 0360-3199
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.12.173

On a quest of efficient catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen production, the dominantly acclaimed Z-Scheme BiVO4/g-C3N4 nanocomposite with deliberate modifications was engineered. La3+ and B3+ was incorporated in BiVO4 and g-C3N4 lattice respectively and the materials were synthesized in such a way that LaxBi1-xVO4 particles sit over the ByC3-yN4 sheets. The surface of the nanocomposite was decorated with reduced graphene oxide to enrich the surface-active site density and to enhance the absorption range of the composite. It also serves as an electron mediator between the composite and the water molecule thereby enhancing the reaction kinetics by lowering the recombination rate. The composite material showed roughly six-fold popped up hydrogen production rate of 2392 μmol/h/g under natural sunlight. The apparent quantum yield (AQE) manifested by the composite was calculated to be 2.70 %. Further the catalyst presented an overpotential of 133 mV for 10 mA current and showcased a 20-fold enhanced photocurrent density when compared to the bare sample. [Display omitted] •The novelty of the work lies in engineering of composite catalyst rGO@ LaxBi1-xVO4/ByC3-yN4.•The composite exhibited hydrogen production rate of 2392 μmol/h/g with an apparent quantum yield (AQE) of 2.70 %.•The catalyst presented an electrocatalytic overpotential of 133 mV for 10 mA current.•DFT calculations were done to understand the interaction between the catalyst and water.