White LED - Driven hydrogen production: Tantalum oxide supported g-C3N4 sheets as a Pt-free catalyst

Abstract

Photocatalytic water splitting offers a promising pathway for clean and sustainable hydrogen gas production. This study explores the enhancement of photocatalytic activity in graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄; CN) sheets by incorporating tantalum oxide (T0) powder. The unique band structure and excellent stability of CN sheets make them effective photocatalysts. However, limited light absorption and rapid exciton recombination often hinder their performance. To overcome these limitations, Ta-oxide particles were introduced onto the surface of CN sheets. This composite design not only enhances visible light absorption and the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs but also facilitates efficient charge transfer at the photocatalyst-electrolyte interface. As a result, the T0-supported CN composite demonstrated a remarkable improvement in catalytic performance, achieving a hydrogen evolution rate of 189.11 mmol/g/h (approximately 50 times higher than pristine CN) under 100W white LED illumination. The synergistic interaction between CN and Ta-oxide was thoroughly examined using spectroscopic, photochemical, and morphological characterization techniques. These findings underscore the potential of T0-supported g-C₃N₄ as a highly efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen production, advancing the development of sustainable energy technologies.