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Band gap alignment of structured microporous graphitic carbons by N doping and its influence on photocatalytic overall water splitting
- Source :
- Digital.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC, instname
- Publication Year :
- 2022
- Publisher :
- Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), 2022.
-
Abstract
- Hydrogen generation from water using solar light could be a process of paramount importance in the forthcoming decarbonized society. This reaction requires efficient photocatalysts based on earth-abundant elements. Metal-free carbon semiconducting materials are very appealing in this regard. This manuscript shows that N-doping is a convenient strategy to increase the photocatalytic activity of microporous graphitic carbons obtained from the pyrolysis of α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins. These (N)C carbons exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity for H generation in the presence of methanol with respect to their undoped analogs. The optimal (N)C material (pore size, 0.65 nm) was the one derived from α-cyclodextrin at a N content of 3.1%, achieving a H productivity of 1.8 mmol g at 4 h in the presence of methanol. These materials also exhibit photocatalytic activity for overall water splitting, although with lower efficiency than for H generation in the presence of sacrificial electron donors. The present results illustrate the tuning of band alignment by N-doping in the graphitic matrix.<br />Financial support by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Severo Ochoa and CTQ2018-98237-CO2-1) and Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo 2017-083) is gratefully acknowledged.
Details
- ISSN :
- 23984902
- Volume :
- 6
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Sustainable Energy & Fuels
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....f93015a3d634cb59947ff3f8914221e6