Accelerating Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production and Pollutant Degradation by Functionalizing g-C3N4 With SnO2

Abstract

Energy crises and environmental pollution are two serious threats to modern society. To overcome these problems, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) nanosheets were fabricated and functionalized with SnO₂ nanoparticles to produce H₂ from water splitting and degrade 2-chlorophenol under visible light irradiation. The fabricated samples showed enhanced photocatalytic activities for both H₂ evolution and pollutant degradation as compared to bare g-C₃N₄ and SnO₂. These enhanced photoactivities are attributed to the fast charge separation as the excited electrons transfer from g-C₃N₄ to the conduction band of SnO₂. This enhanced charge separation has been confirmed by the photoluminescence spectra, steady state surface photovoltage spectroscopic measurement, and formed hydroxyl radicals. It is believed that this work will provide a feasible route to synthesize photocatalysts for improved energy production and environmental purification.