Carbon nitride nanotubes with in situ grafted hydroxyl groups for highly efficient spontaneous H2O2 production

By Liang Zhou, J. Lei, Fuchen Wang, Lingzhi Wang, M. Hoffmann, Yongdi Liu, Su-il In, Jinlong Zhang. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2021

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Abstract An active and inexpensive photocatalyst for H2O2 production is desirable for industrial applications. However, obtaining high photocatalytic activity from metal-free catalysts without the use of sacrificial electron donors is difficult. Herein, g-C3N4 (CN) nanotubes functionalized with surface > OH groups that are grafted in situ were successfully synthesized via a novel alkalinization process. The nanotube structures provide a large surface area and improved mass transfer properties. In situ grafted > OH groups can capture photogenerated holes to promote separation of photogenerated charge, enabling the ready availability of electrons and hydrogen ions for H2O2 production. Further, the surface > OH groups help to suppress H2O2 self-decomposition. Consequently, a high rate of 240.36 μmol h−1 g−1 of H2O2 production can be achieved without sacrificial agents, which is the highest H2O2 production in a spontaneous system for metal-free photocatalysts. This work provides a new strategy for an efficient and spontaneous H2O2 production method using a metal-free CN photocatalyst.

Subfields: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/7ab34138d92027f4a02482a88028078cf6f750ca