Authors: L.Florentino-Madiedo (INCAR-CSIC), E.Díaz-Faes (INCAR-CSIC), y C.Barriocanal (INCAR-CSIC).
Article published on: CARBON
Highlights
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Urea performs better than melamine for H2 production.
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The best calcination atmosphere depends on the precursor used.
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The gCNs prepared with urea as precursor in a CO2 atmosphere show the highest HER.
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A relationship between the HER and the band gap of the photocatalyst was established.
ABSTRACT
The influence of precursor and gas atmosphere during graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) preparation on its performance in a photocatalytic water splitting process was studied. Urea and melamine were heated up to 600 °C for 2 h in N2, CO2, air, and static air. The crystalline structure, porosity, chemical composition, and light absorption of the gCNs synthesized were investigated in depth. In addition, their capacity for H2 production was studied in a quartz top Pyrex reactor connected on-line to a Micro-GC. The best results were obtained with urea heated in a CO2 atmosphere. The results were discussed, considering the band gap and the existence of amino groups in the photocatalysts. In addition, the importance of the presence of s-triazine units was emphasized.
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