Copper Oxide/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites: Synthesis and Optical and Photocatalytic Properties Investigation

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Hosseini Hosseinabad, Morteza | 2020

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Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
Language: Farsi
Document No: 52991 (07)
University: Sharif University of Technology
Department: Materials Science and Engineering
Advisor(s): Sadrnezhaad, Khatiboleslam
Abstract:
Herein, cupric oxide (CuO)/graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is synthesized under microwave irradiation for enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance and photostability. A facile, one-pot method was utilized to directly deposit the nanocomposite onto FTO from a solution containing copper precursor and urea. Possible mechanisms of CuO/g-C3N4 formation and PEC performance improvement were examined via XRD, FTIR, FESEM, XPS, UV-Vis, and PL. Controlled amounts of urea determined the morphological evolution of CuO and the formation of a protective carbon layer, while its excess quantity converted to g-C3N4 in the presence of CuO. Through heat treatment of the nanocomposite, carbon-doped CuO/g-C3N4 was obtained which demonstrated a photocurrent density of -2.85 mA cm-2 at 0 V vs. RHE, hydrogen evolution of 3.91 µmol h-1 cm-2, and photocurrent retention of ~80% after 85 min. The enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity is mainly attributed to unique hierarchical morphology of CuO, effective separation of charge carriers, and formation of heterojunction
Keywords:
Graphitic Carbon Nitride ; Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting ; Copper Oxide ; Water Treatment ; Microwave Irradiation ; Nanostructural Thin Films

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