Hong-Si Guo , Wenfeng Zhao , Wan-Ling Chen , Qingmei Ge , Mao Liu , Hang Cong , Jiang-Lin Zhao
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Utilizing solar energy to generate hydrogen through photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is considered as the most efficient method and sustainable pathway. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), as a candidate for photoelectrochemical catalysts, exhibits the drawbacks including small specific surface area and high complexity of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. With supramolecular encapsulation of melamine guest within cucurbit[7]uril, a new process for thinned and nitrogen-doped g-C3N4-0.04 % nanosheets are developed, and the photoelectrocatalytic activity is obviously improved on the surface. A photocathode with the prepared g-C3N4-0.04 % nanosheets produce more than twice efficiency of pristine g-C3N4 for water splitting, and the incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) is increased by a factor of about 10 under simulated conditions of sunlight at AM 1.5 G (100 mW/cm2). The improved performance should be the results of the thinned layers by introduction of the macrocyclic compound in g-C3N4 nanosheets, which reduce the charge transfer resistance, and inhibit the complexation of the photogenerated electron pairs, to prolong the lifetime of the electron, and facilitate the ability of the electron transport with an increase in current. On the other hand, the specific surface area is improved in the g-C3N4-0.04 % nanosheets to expose more reactive sites, and the microdopant of cucurbit[7]uril provides more active nitrogen sites, to enhance the photocatalysis.
期刊介绍:
JPPA publishes the results of fundamental studies on all aspects of chemical phenomena induced by interactions between light and molecules/matter of all kinds.
All systems capable of being described at the molecular or integrated multimolecular level are appropriate for the journal. This includes all molecular chemical species as well as biomolecular, supramolecular, polymer and other macromolecular systems, as well as solid state photochemistry. In addition, the journal publishes studies of semiconductor and other photoactive organic and inorganic materials, photocatalysis (organic, inorganic, supramolecular and superconductor).
The scope includes condensed and gas phase photochemistry, as well as synchrotron radiation chemistry. A broad range of processes and techniques in photochemistry are covered such as light induced energy, electron and proton transfer; nonlinear photochemical behavior; mechanistic investigation of photochemical reactions and identification of the products of photochemical reactions; quantum yield determinations and measurements of rate constants for primary and secondary photochemical processes; steady-state and time-resolved emission, ultrafast spectroscopic methods, single molecule spectroscopy, time resolved X-ray diffraction, luminescence microscopy, and scattering spectroscopy applied to photochemistry. Papers in emerging and applied areas such as luminescent sensors, electroluminescence, solar energy conversion, atmospheric photochemistry, environmental remediation, and related photocatalytic chemistry are also welcome.