Bimetallic PtAu Alloy Nanoparticles-Integrated g-C₃N₄ Hybrid as an Efficient Photocatalyst for Water-to-Hydrogen Conversion

Abstract

Herein, we report the synthesis of metal (Pt and Au) and metal alloy (PtAu) nanoparticles (NPs)-integrated graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) hybrids using a facile solvothermal route for water-splitting application. The metal and metal alloy NPs with varying percentages of Pt and Au are found to be in the size range of 3-5 nm and uniformly distributed on the g-C₃N₄ sheets. The metal and metal alloy NPs act as cocatalyst for g-C₃N₄ to enhance the photocatalytic activity for hydrogen (H₂) generation through higher light absorption and efficient charge separation. The alloy composition plays an important role to maximize the photoactivity, with an optimized PtAu/g-C₃N₄ sample delivered 1009 μmol g^-1 h^-1 of H₂. The visible light assisted photocatalytic H₂ evolution is further investigated with the optimized PtAu alloy NPs-integrated g-C₃N₄. This study presents a robust, stable, and easily synthesizable PtAu/g-C₃N₄ hybrid material as a promising photocatalyst for H₂ generation through water splitting.