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Synthesis of Potassium‐Modified Graphitic Carbon Nitride with High Photocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Evolution
Author(s) -
Wu Ming,
Yan JunMin,
Tang Xiannian,
Zhao Ming,
Jiang Qing
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201402180
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , graphitic carbon nitride , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , materials science , carbon nitride , nitride , hydrogen production , potassium , chemical engineering , hydrogen , carbon fibers , nuclear chemistry , nanotechnology , catalysis , chemistry , composite number , organic chemistry , metallurgy , layer (electronics) , composite material , engineering
Potassium‐modified graphitic carbon nitride (K‐g‐C 3 N 4 ) nanosheets are synthesized by a facile KCl‐template method that holds the advantage of easy removal of residual template. A combination of XRD, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma analyses are utilized to characterize the obtained resultant K‐g‐C 3 N 4 architectures, which are composed of nanosheets of variable thickness (<10 nm). Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution experiments under visible light irradiation showed that K‐g‐C 3 N 4 nanosheets have high photocatalytic activities (up to about thirteen times higher than that of pure g‐C 3 N 4 ) as well as good stability (no reduction in activity within 16 h); both features emanate from their unique structural characteristics. These results illustrate the viability of this methodology for the facile synthesis of efficient heterogeneous photocatalysts for potential commercial applications.