Schottky barrier modulation via calcium hydroxide nanoparticles on g-C3N4/Ti3C2 for overall photocatalytic applications

Zeeshan Asghar; Jawad Ahmad Jrar; Alauddin; Faheem K. Butt; Kewang Zheng; Yongcai Zhang; Nian-Tzu Suen; Jianhua Hou

doi:10.1039/D5CC01620G

Schottky barrier modulation via calcium hydroxide nanoparticles on g-C₃N₄/Ti₃C₂ for overall photocatalytic applications†

Zeeshan Asghar,^ab Jawad Ahmad Jrar,^ab Alauddin,^ab Faheem K. Butt,^c Kewang Zheng,

^d Yongcai Zhang,

^e Nian-Tzu Suen

*^ef and Jianhua Hou

*^a

Author affiliations

* Corresponding authors

^a School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
E-mail: jhhou@yzu.edu.cn

^b College of Physical Science and Technology, Yangzhou university, Yangzhou, China

^c Department of Physics, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education Lahore, Pakistan

^d School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan 432000, Hubei, China

^e School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China

^f Yunnan Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Materials and Devices, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, P. R. China

Abstract

In this work, a novel 2D g-C₃N₄/Ca(OH)₂/Ti₃C₂ heterojunction was synthesized via a one-step thermal method to enhance photocatalytic efficiency. With a 2.44 eV band gap and improved porosity, it enables stronger visible light absorption. Calcium hydroxide enhances structural integrity, while nitrogen vacancies optimize charge separation and Schottky barrier modulation. This photocatalyst achieves a CO evolution rate of 205.3 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, H₂ evolution of 17 300 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, and 99.7% MB and 99.2% TC removal. This strategy advances sustainable energy and environmental remediation.

This article is part of the themed collection: Chemistry at the Forefront of the Sustainable Energy Transition

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Article information

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01620G
Article type: Communication
Submitted: 22 Mac 2025
Accepted: 11 Jun 2025
First published: 11 Jun 2025

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Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 11005-11008

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Schottky barrier modulation via calcium hydroxide nanoparticles on g-C₃N₄/Ti₃C₂ for overall photocatalytic applications

Z. Asghar, J. A. Jrar, Alauddin, F. K. Butt, K. Zheng, Y. Zhang, N. Suen and J. Hou, Chem. Commun., 2025, 61, 11005 DOI: 10.1039/D5CC01620G

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