Nanomeghyas

Nanomeghyas

Preparation of WO3/g-C3N4/Cu2O nanocomposite and study its application as catalyst in hydrogen evolution reaction by photocatalytic water splitting

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ladan Nakhei 1
Fariba Fathirad 1
Maryam Fayazi 2
Azita Zandi 3
1 Department of Nanotechnology, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
2 Department of Environment, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
3 Semiconductors Group, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
In the present work, WO3/g-C3N4 and WO3/ g-C3N4/Cu2O nanocomposites containing tungsten trioxide and copper (I) oxide nanoparticles were synthesized on a graphitic carbon nitride substrate. The structural and morphological characteristics of the synthesized nanostructures were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS). The performance of nanocomposites as cathodic catalysts was investigated and compared in the photocatalytic water splitting process. The results showed that the WO3/g-C3N4/Cu2O nanocomposite produces the highest current density and the lowest overvoltage in the hydrogen evolution reaction. This improvement in photoelectrochemical performance can be attributed to the increase in surface area and electron transfer due to the synergetic effect between carbon substrate and oxide nanoparticles. In addition to practical studies, the WO3/g-C3N4/Cu2O nanocatalyst was simulated with Materials Studio software and the XRD pattern and its electronic structure were compared with the practical results. The theoretical XRD pattern showed good agreement with the experimental XRD pattern. Accordingly, the proposed nanocomposite can be well used as a cathodic catalyst in the production of pure hydrogen fuel.
Keywords
Semiconductor
Photocatalyst
Hydrogen evolution
Water splitting
[1] A.M.M.I. Qureshy, E. Dincer, "A new integrated renewable energy system for clean electricity and hydrogen fuel production", International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 45, 1, 20944-55, 2021.
[2] M. Ahmed, I. Dincer, “A review on photoelectrochemical hydrogen production systems: challenges and future directions”, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 44, 5, 2474-2507, 2019.
[3] D. Afzali, F. Fathirad, "Performance Investigation of Bimetallic Nanocatalysts for Improvement of Ethylene Glycol and Glycerol Oxidation Process in Fuel Cell", In Persian, Nashrieh Shimi va Mohandesi Shimi Iran, 39, 3, 93-100, 2020.
[4]        A.R. Madram, M. Mohebbi, M. Nasiri, M.R. Sovizi, " Preparation of Ni-P-CeO2 electrode and study on electrocatalytic properties for hydrogen evolution reaction", 5, 1-11, 2018.
[5]        J. Safaei, et al., “Graphitic carbon nitride (gC3N4) electrodes for energy conversion and storage: a review on photoelectrochemical water splitting, solar cells and supercapacitors,” J. Material Chemistry A, 6, 45, 22346–22380, 2018.
[6]        J. Wang, “Development of Graphitic Carbon Nitride based Semiconductor Photocatalysts for Organic Pollutant Degradation.” KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 2015.
[7] C. Acar, “Experimental investigation and analyses of continuous type hybrid photoelectrochemical hydrogen production systems.” PhD Thesis, University of Ontario, Canada, 2016.
[8] A. Shokri, “Using Mn based on lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) as an original catalyst for the removal of NO2 pollutant in aqueous environment” Surfaces and Interfaces 21, 100705, 2020.
[9] A. Shokri, K. Mahanpoor, “Removal of Ortho-Toluidine from Industrial Wastewater by UV/TiO2 Process” Journal of Chemical Health Risks, 6(3), 213-223, 2016.
[10] M. Saghi, A. Shokri, A. Arastehnodeh, M. Khazaeinejad, A. Nozari, “The photo degradation of methyl red in aqueous solutions by α-Fe2O3/SiO2 nano photocatalyst”, Journal of Nanoanalysis, 5(3), 163-170, 2018.
[11] A. Shokri, A. Bayat, K. Mahanpoor, “Employing Fenton-like process for the remediation of petrochemical wastewater through Box–Behnken design method”, Desalination and Water Treatment, 166, 135–143, 2019.
[12] A. Shokri, “Employing Sono-Fenton Process for Degradation of 2-Nitrophenol in Aqueous Environment Using Box–Behnken Design Method and Kinetic Study”, Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 93, 243–249, 2019.
[13]      H. Over, “Nanophysics and Nanotechnology. An Introduction to Modern Concepts in Nanoscience. By Edward L. Wolf.,” ChemPhysChem, 6, 8, 1661, 2005.
[14] W.J. Jo, “Solar energy conversion via photovoltaics and photocatalysis.” PhD Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2017.
[15] R. Wang, J. Yan, M. Zu, S. Yang, X. Cai, Q. Gao, Y. Fang, S. Zhang, S. Zhang, “Facile synthesis of interlocking g-C3N4/CdS photoanode for stable photoelectrochemical hydrogen production,” Electrochimica Acta, Vol. 279, 74–83, 2018.
[16] S. Yao, F. Qu, G. Wang, and X. Wu, “Facile hydrothermal synthesis of WO3 nanorods for photocatalysts and supercapacitors,” J. Alloys Compd., 724, 695–702, 2017.
[17] H. Azadi, H. D. Aghdam, R. Malekfar, and S. M. Bellah, “Effects of energy and hydrogen peroxide concentration on structural and optical properties of CuO nanosheets prepared by pulsed laser ablation,” Results Phys., 15, 102610, 2019.
[18] J. Singh, A. Arora, S. Basu, “Synthesis of coral like WO3/g-C3N4 nanocomposites for the removal of hazardous dyes under visible light,” Journal of Alloys and Compound., 808, 151734, 2019.
[19] A. Mishra, A. Mehta, S. Basu, N.P. Shetti, K.R. Reddy, T.M. Aminabhavi, “Graphitic carbon nitride (g–C3N4)–based metal-free photocatalysts for water splitting: a review,” Carbon, 149, 693, 2019.
 
 

  • Receive Date 13 October 2021
  • Revise Date 26 November 2021
  • Accept Date 01 December 2021