@article {49492,
	title = {Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution by MoO3@g-C3N4 and MoO3@f-MWCNT nanocomposites in deionized and natural seawater under visible light},
	journal = {ACS Applied Nano Materials},
	volume = {8},
	year = {2025},
	month = {MAR},
	pages = {7175-7189},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>
	Visible-light-driven photocatalysts are predominantly useful for converting solar to hydrogen energy via photocatalytic water-splitting reactions. The heterojunction composite materials have exhibited remarkable advantages for visible-light photocatalytic H-2 evolution. We have successfully synthesized MoO3@f-MWCNT and MoO3@g-C3N4 nanocomposites and characterized them using PXRD, UV-DRS, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, PL, TRPL, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, BET, and photocurrent. The photocatalytic water-splitting efficiency of MoO3@f-MWCNT and MoO3@g-C3N4 was measured under visible light (lambda \&gt;= 420 nm) irradiation using TEOA as a sacrificial reagent in DI water and natural seawater. The H-2 evolution rate in DI water for MoO3@f-MWCNT is 2313.56 mu mol g(-)(1) h(-)(1), and for MoO3@g-C3N4 is 2530.35 mu mol g(-1) h(-1) with an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 6.38 and 6.93\%, respectively. In natural seawater, the H-2 evolution rate is 2632.20 and 2845.06 mu mol g(-1) h(-1), with an AQE of 7.21 and 7.77\%, respectively. The rate of H-2 evolution slightly increased in natural seawater than DI water. The Tafel slope values for MoO3@g-C3N4 and MoO3@f-MWCNT are 59 and 92 mV dec(-1), respectively. The lowest Tafel value of MoO3@g-C3N4 exhibited a faster rate of reaction. Thus, the surface interaction between the MoO3 and the porous g-C3N4 materials may create synergistic effects, which facilitate electron transport at the interface and significantly boost the photocatalytic activity. Thus, MoO3@g-C3N4 is a promising photocatalyst for renewable energy production.</p>
},
	keywords = {deionized water, electrochemicalHER, MoO3@f-MWCNT, MoO3@g-C3N4 nanocomposites, natural seawater, photocatalytic H-2 evolution},
	doi = {10.1021/acsanm.5c00297},
	author = {Kangutkar, Raju S. and Walko, Priyanka and Dhepe, P. L. and Nayaka, G. P. and Manjanna, J.}
}
