In situ synthesis of g-C3N4/TiO2 heterostructures with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light

Abstract

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) nanosheets/titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles heterostructures have been in situ synthesized via a modified sol–gel method combined with a calcination process. The prepared g-C₃N₄/TiO₂ heterostructured composites exhibited excellent photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water splitting under visible light irradiation. It was found that the TiO₂ nanoparticles are well-dispersed on the g-C₃N₄ nanosheets. The as-obtained g-C₃N₄ coupled with TiO₂ not only increased the surface area of g-C₃N₄, but also promoted the separation of photo-generated charge carriers. The developed composite exhibits an excellent hydrogen evolution rate of 40 μmol h⁻¹, which is about 2.7 times higher than that of pure g-C₃N₄ nanosheets.