A molecular amalgamation of carbon nitride polymer as emphasized photocatalytic performance
Asif Hayat, Asif Hayat, T.A. Taha, Asma M. Alenad, Tariq Ali, Tariq Bashir, Ata Ur Rehman, Ikram Ullah, Ashiq Hayat, Ashiq Hayat, Ahmad Irfan, Wasim Ullah Khan
Abstract
Integration by conventional polymerization of different organic monomers with carbon nitride (CN) is a scalding topic and a simple one-pot process. To change the electronic structure, chemical composition, and photocatalytic activity of CN, we report the deficient quinone ring monomer here. Thermal copolymerization of urea with 2,6-diaminoantandantquinone (DQ) monomer is an efficient synthesis of a sequence of modified CN photocatalysts. Results show that the optical absorption capacity is improved by modulating the quinone ring in the CN framework, improving its charge transfer and separation of photogenerated electron and holes. The modified CN shows a notable improvement in the photocatalytic activity of overall water splitting, such as hydrogen evolution rate (HER) and oxygen evolution rate (OER). The co-polymerized CN-DQ5.0 displays a remarkable activity of 520.8 μmol/h of H2 evolution and 6.8 μmol/h of O2 evolution, which is around 8 times and 4.5 times greater than CN. The universal copolymerization by a small, optimized amount of monomer DQ explores a remarkable improvement in the photocatalytic activity. Novelty Statement We manifested the process of molecular doping with carbon nitride (CN) semiconductor for utilization of solar heat radiation into chemical energy under sunlight perspective. Here, we suggest a novel nanoscopic organic-conjugated heterocyclic monomer 2,6-diaminoantandantquinone (DQ) monomer as a demonstrator within CN that boost the photocatalytic properties. An identifiable undulation occurred in the surface area, electronic structure, calculated band gap, and chemical composition analysis of CN and also improved its electronic generation process under visible light radiance. The superior photocatalyst stimulated a tremendous photocatalytic activity of water reduction and water oxidation as enhanced catalytic performances compared of pristine sample, respectively.