Covalently interconnected layers in g-C3N4: toward high mechanical stability, catalytic efficiency and sustainability
Title | Covalently interconnected layers in g-C3N4: toward high mechanical stability, catalytic efficiency and sustainability |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2023 |
Authors | Roy, RSekhar, Mondal, S, Mishra, S, Banoo, M, Sahoo, L, Kumar, A, Vinod, CP, De, AK, Gautam, UK |
Journal | Applied Catalysis B: Environmental |
Volume | 322 |
Pagination | 122069 |
Date Published | MAR |
Type of Article | Article |
ISSN | 0926-3373 |
Keywords | Layer-linkers, Sustainable synthesis, Transient absorption spectroscopy, water-splitting |
Abstract | The grim prospects for the industrial utilization of g-C3N4 nanosheets arise from multi-step processing resulting in low material yields and poor visible light response due to quantum confinement. Herein, we introduce a strategy for linking the adjacent layers of g-C3N4 covalently to realize a high surface area without excess mass loss in a one-step process by introducing diethylene glycol as a precursor that produces-(CH2)2-O-(CH2)2-linkers in-situ. Their presence increases interlayer spacing and introduces surface curvatures, discouraging the stacking of a larger number of layers to produce nanosheets with-3 times higher surface area. Interestingly, unlike other layered materials, the linkers also provide extraordinary mechanical stability against exfoliating forces. In addition, the process instills sub-bandgap states and a considerable visible light response at 500 nm to slow down the picosecond exciton recombination dynamics, resulting in-5 times enhancement in H2 generation efficiency from photocatalytic water-splitting over the bulk sample. |
DOI | 10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.122069 |
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign) | Foreign |
Impact Factor (IF) | 24.319 |
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