Precursor‐Engineering Coupled Microwave Molten‐Salt Strategy Enhances Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Performance of g‐C3N4 Nanostructures

• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201902730
• Publication Date: 2019-11-29T17:15:02Z
• Authors: Huijuan Jing; Mingzhu You; Shasha Yi; Tao Li; Haipeng Ji; Yu Wang; Zongtao Zhang; Rui Zhang; Deliang Chen; Huaming Yang
• Keywords: Graphitic carbon nitride; Cyanuric acid; Carbon nitride; Triazine

Abstract A precursor‐engineering strategy coupled with a microwave molten‐salt process (PE‐MWMS) is developed to synthesize graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C 3 N 4 ) an isotype triazine/heptazine‐based g‐C heterojunction as photocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under visible light illumination. Four hybrid precursor combinations—thiourea/melamine, thiourea/dicyandiamide, urea/melamine, and urea/dicyandiamide—are used heterojunctions by PE‐MWMS process. Control experiments indicate that components treatment have great effect on HER performance of samples. Samples synthesized optimal molar ratios thiourea/melamine (2:1), thiourea/dicyandiamide urea/melamine (3:1), urea/dicyandiamide exhibit highest rates 3135, 2519, 2844, 2565 μmol g −1 h , respectively. The amounts heptazine triazine units in samples can be easily adjusted changing precursors play decisive role improving photocatalytic activity. Because unique composition microstructure, efficient separation electron–hole pairs, broadened photo‐absorption edges, narrowed band gaps, as‐obtained nanostructures promising activity application.