Studies On B Doped G C3n4 Based Z Scheme Heterojunctions For Conversion Of Solar Energy To Chemical Energy

Abstract

In the search for a sustainable and green energy resource, conversion of solar to chemical energy by visible light-driven photocatalysis is an emerging discipline that could efficiently evolve H2 energy from water splitting and produce H2O2 in an oxygen saturated environment. Among numerous 2D semiconducting nanomaterials, g-C3N4 has received great interest as it provides better interfacial connectivity, conduce rapid charge migration, and enhance electron mobility. Other add-ons like easy synthesis approach from cost-effective nitrogen rich precursors, less toxicity, novel visible light active properties, and suitable band-edge positions have supported its potency as a photocatalyst. In the current thesis work, first we have modified g-C3N4 through various nonmetal (B, S, P) doping followed by exfoliation to form nanosheets with large surface area and abundant active sites for improved charge carrier migration. Considering the synergistic effect of heteroatom doping and exfoliation, boron doped CN (BCN) has selected to construct multicomponent systems. Biomimetic Z-scheme charge transfer has been emerged as an efficient charge transfer kinetics for improved photocatalytic efficiency. Taking BCN as one counterpart of the Z-scheme charge transfer, different metal oxides are chosen for the other part. For the second system, oxygen vacancy rich and#945;-MnO2 atB/O-g-C3N4 direct Z-scheme photocatalyst has been synthesized. For the third system, d-MXene has been integrated as cocatalyst into the previously prepared and#945;-MnO2 atB/O-g-C3N4 Z-scheme system. For the last system, Z-scheme TiO2atMXene/B-g-C3N4 ternary hybrid has been fabricated with MXene solid state electron mediator. Amongst, and#945;-MnO2 atB/O-g-C3N4/d-MXene heterostructure was found to be the foremost catalyst to achieve 2846.4 and#956;mol h-1 g-1 H2O2 production and 897.2 and#956;mol h-1 of hydrogen production. newline