UV–visible light sensitized NiCo2O4@g–C3N4 heterojunction: Based nanocomposites as novel photocatalysts for enhanced hydrogen generation and electrochemical activity

• Published in: Journal of materials research 2023-07, Vol.38 (13), p.3301-3315
• Main Authors: Babu, L. Kiran, Rao, H. Seshagiri, Kishore, P. N. R., Reddy, N. Lakshmana, Shankar, M. V., Reddy, Y. V. Rami
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied and Technical Physics; Biomaterials; Carbon nitride; Catalysts; Charge transfer; Chemistry and Materials Science; Current carriers; Electron microscopy; Emission analysis; Energy dispersive X ray analysis; Field emission microscopy; Field emission spectroscopy; Fourier transforms; Heterojunctions; Hydrogen production; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Engineering; Materials research; Materials Science; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Nickel compounds; Photocatalysts; Photoelectrons; Simulators; Solar simulators; Thermal decomposition; Water splitting; X ray analysis; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0884-2914; 2044-5326
• DOI: 10.1557/s43578-023-01054-1

Herein , a novel thermal decomposition approach for the synthesis of NiCo 2 O 4 @g–C 3 N 4 heterojunction based nanocomposites has been described. Morphology, structural data and bonding parameters of the prepared material was elucidated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS), and UV–visible diffuse reflectance (DRS-UV–visible) microscopy. After characterization, the nanocomposites were explored as effective photocatalysts for hydrogen (H 2 ) generation through water splitting under UV–visible light (solar simulators) irradiation. The maximum H 2 production (3,533 and 2,560 μmol.h −1 .g cat −1 ) rate achieved using NiCo 2 O 4 @g–C 3 N 4 nanocomposite catalysts were significantly higher than that of pristine g-C 3 N 4 (2,056 μmol.h −1 .g cat −1 ), and NiCo 2 O 4 (2,334 μmol.h −1 .g cat −1 ) catalysts. Furthermore, the electrochemical performances of the synthesized nanocomposites were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and also their effectiveness has been tested with pristine NiCo 2 O 4 nanoparticles. Graphical abstract Schematic illustration of fabrication and possible photogenerated charge carriers transfer route for NiCoO 4 /g–C 3 N 4