Metal-free photocatalytic graphitic carbon nitride on p-type chalcopyrite as a composite photocathode for light-induced hydrogen evolution.
Recently, it has been shown that an abundant material, polymeric carbon nitride, can produce hydrogen from water under visible-light irradiation in the presence of a sacrificial donor. We present herein the preparation and characterization of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C(3)N(4)) films on p-type semiconducting CuGaSe(2) chalcopyrite thin-film substrates by thermal condensation of a dicyandiamide precursor under inert-gas conditions. Structural and surface morphological studies of the carbon nitride films suggest a high porosity of g-C(3)N(4) thin films consisting of a network of nanocrystallites. Photoelectrochemical investigations show light-induced hydrogen evolution upon cathodic polarization for a wide range of proton concentrations in the aqueous electrolyte. Additionally, synchrotron radiation-based photoelectron spectroscopy has been applied to study the surface/near-surface chemical composition of the utilized g-C(3)N(4) film photocathodes. For the first time, it has been shown that g-C(3)N(4) films coated on p-type CuGaSe(2) thin films can be successfully applied as new photoelectrochemical composite photocathodes for light-induced hydrogen evolution.
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany.
Florent
F
Yang
Michael
M
Lublow
Steven
S
Orthmann
Christoph
C
Merschjann
Tobias
T
Tyborski
Marin
M
Rusu
Sven
S
Kubala
Arne
A
Thomas
Rosa
R
Arrigo
Michael
M
Hävecker
Thomas
T
Schedel-Niedrig
D002384:Catalysis; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D004566:Electrodes; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D009570:Nitriles / Q000737:chemistry*; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D009570:Nitriles; D014867:Water; C012819:chalcopyrite; C011206:cyanogen; D006108:Graphite; D003300:Copper; D006859:Hydrogen