Synthesis of α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 photocatalyst for high-efficiency water splitting under full light
Yuanyuan Li, Shengli Zhu, Yanqin Liang, Zhaoyang Li, Shuilin Wu, Chuntao Chang, Shuiyuan Luo, Zhenduo Cui
Abstract
Designing efficient photocatalysts for water splitting hydrogen evolution with low cost is a hot topic. In the present work, a α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 photocatalyst with core-shell structure is successfully synthesized by an modified thermal etching method. Due to the synergy of Z-scheme and electron tunneling, the α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 photocatalyst exhibits efficient water splitting propertiy under visible light, even red-light irradiation (about 700 nm). In-situ generated α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles facilitate the formation of 2D g-C3N4. The prepared α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 photocatalyst shows an efficient photocatalytic activity between 500 nm and 700 nm due to the electron tunneling effect. The highest hydrogen evolution rate of α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 photolyst is 5 mmol g−1 h−1 at λ > 420 nm. The present research provides the guidance for designing red-light-responsive photocatalysts for solar applications