Semiconductor Heterojunctions for Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic H2 Production

Adhikari, Shiba P.; Hood, Zachary D.; Lachgar, Abdou

doi:10.1557/adv.2018.370

Semiconductor Heterojunctions for Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic H₂ Production

Journal Article · Tue Apr 17 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · MRS Advances

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2018.370· OSTI ID:1435211

Adhikari, Shiba P. ^[1]; Hood, Zachary D. ^[2]; Lachgar, Abdou ^[1]

Wake Forest Univ., Winston-Salem, NC (United States). Dept. of Chemistry. Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability (CEES)
Wake Forest Univ., Winston-Salem, NC (United States). Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability (CEES); Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States). School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Semiconductor-based heterojunctions have been shown to be effective photocatalytic materials to overcome the drawbacks of low photocatalytic efficiency that results from a high rate of electron-hole recombination and narrow photo-response range. In this study, we report on the study of heterojunctions made from visible light active, graphitic carbon nitride, g-C₃N₄), and UV light active, strontium pyroniobate, Sr₂Nb₂O₇. Heterojunctions made from a combination of g-C₃N₄ and nitrogen-doped Sr₂Nb₂O₇ obtained at different temperatures were also studied to determine the effect of N doping. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated by using photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)from water g under visible light irradiation. It was found that the photocatalytic activities of as prepared heterojunctions are significantly higher than that of individual components under similar conditions. Heterojunction formed from g-C₃N₄ and N-doped Sr₂Nb₂O₇ at 700^°C (CN/SNON-700) showed better performance than heterojunction made from g-C₃N₄ and Sr₂Nb₂O₇ (CN/SNO). Finally, a plausible mechanism for the heterojunction enhanced photocatalytic activity is proposed based on, relative band positions, and photoluminescence data.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF) (United States); USDOE; Wake Forest Univ. (United States)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1435211

Journal Information:: MRS Advances, Journal Name: MRS Advances Journal Issue: 55 Vol. 3; ISSN 2059-8521

Publisher:: Materials Research Society (MRS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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