Open AccessPromoting Visible Light Generation of Hydrogen Using a Sol–Gel-Prepared MnCo2O4@g-C3N4 p–n Heterojunction Photocatalyst
Author(s) -
Maha Alhaddad,
Reda M. Mohamed,
M. H. H. Mahmoud
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acs omega
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.779
H-Index - 40
ISSN - 2470-1343
DOI - 10.1021/acsomega.1c00697
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , materials science , nanocomposite , visible spectrum , mesoporous material , hydrogen production , nanosheet , chemical engineering , heterojunction , hydrogen , nanotechnology , catalysis , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , chemistry , engineering
The production of hydrogen using a new type of heterogeneous photocatalyst under visible light is considered a remarkable essential pathway for sustainable, pure energy not only on the laboratory scale but also on a bigger scale. Hence, a new nanocomposite of mesoporous MnCo 2 O 4 , g-C 3 N 4 , and MnCo 2 O 4 @g-C 3 N 4 was produced utilizing a sol-gel method with variable MnCo 2 O 4 contents. The crystal structure of MnCo 2 O 4 was effectively confirmed by the X-ray diffraction pattern and integrated onto the g-C 3 N 4 structure. The MnCo 2 O 4 nanoparticles were displayed as spherical particles by TEM images and dispersed in a uniform way inside the g-C 3 N 4 nanosheet. The synthesized nanocomposites in the form of MnCo 2 O 4 @g-C 3 N 4 were examined as a new effective photocatalyst against glycerol as a source for H 2 production with visible light. The MnCo 2 O 4 contents indicated a corroborative impact for the photocatalytic action related to the H 2 production process. A maximum H 2 production molecular value was observed (21,870 μmol·g -1 ·h -1 ) for a 1.5 wt % MnCo 2 O 4 @g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite as a considerable increase in its photocatalytic activity. The yields of H 2 are ∼55 and 23 times higher than those of g-C 3 N 4 and MnCo 2 O 4 , respectively. Up to five times cycles of visible lighting were the maximum number of repeated cycles by which the 1.5 wt % MnCo 2 O 4 @g-C 3 N 4 product showed higher stability and durability.