Boron-doped nitrogen-deficient carbon nitride-based Z-scheme heterostructures for photocatalytic overall water splitting

Daming Zhao, Yiqing Wang, Chung-Li Dong, Yu-Cheng Huang, Jie Chen, Fei Xue, Shaohua Shen () and Liejin Guo
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Daming Zhao: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Yiqing Wang: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Chung-Li Dong: Tamkang University
Yu-Cheng Huang: Tamkang University
Jie Chen: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Fei Xue: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Shaohua Shen: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Liejin Guo: Xi’an Jiaotong University

Nature Energy, 2021, vol. 6, issue 4, 388-397

Abstract: Abstract Photocatalytic overall water splitting can be achieved using Z-scheme systems that mimic natural photosynthesis by combining dissimilar semiconductors in series. However, coupling well-suited H2- and O2-evolving components remains challenging. Here, we fabricate a Z-scheme system for photocatalytic overall water splitting based on boron-doped, nitrogen-deficient carbon nitride two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets. We prepare ultrathin carbon nitride nanosheets with varying levels of boron dopants and nitrogen defects, which leads to nanosheets that can act as either H2- or O2-evolving photocatalysts. Using an electrostatic self-assembly strategy, the nanosheets are coupled to obtain a 2D/2D polymeric heterostructure. Owing to their ultrathin nanostructures, strong interfacial interaction and staggered band alignment, a Z-scheme route for efficient charge-carrier separation and transfer is realized. The obtained heterostructure achieves stoichiometric H2 and O2 evolution in the presence of Pt and Co(OH)2 co-catalysts, and the solar-to-hydrogen efficiency reaches 1.16% under one-sun illumination.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-021-00795-9

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