Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen energy production of g-C₃N₄-WO₃ composites under visible light irradiation

Abstract

Highly efficient hybrid g-C3N4/WO3 photocatalysts were fabricated by facile hydrothermal method for green hydrogen energy production under visible light irradiation. The nanostructures of WO3 nanoparticles and exfoliated graphitized C3N4 particles were prepared and were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller techniques. The average size of the pure WO3 nanostructures and those in the composites was 47 and 86 nm, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of the prepared nanocomposites was found by increasing content of g-C3N4 up to 3%; however, further increase in doping content decreases the photocatalytic activity. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to extended visible light region, lower recombination rate, and high surface area. This in house developed g-C3N4/WO3 photo catalytic material will be value added addition in the field of green hydrogen energy production.