Boosting near-infrared-driven photocatalytic H2 evolution using protoporphyrin-sensitized g-C3N4

Although many photocatalysts can work under ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) light, few photocatalysts can use the near-infrared (NIR) portion of sun light. Herein, we developed a new photocatalyst (denoted as Pp/pGCN) by modifying protonated g-C3N4 (pGCN) with protoporphyrin (Pp). Pp/pGCN showed superior activity than g-C3N4 (GCN), pGCN, and Pp in photocatalytic water splitting to produce H-2, either under Vis-NIR (lambda > 420 nm) light or NIR (lambda > 780 nm) light. Reasons for the enhanced catalytic activity were elucidated via relevant physico-chemical characterization. This work may furnish a new example for the design of new photocatalysts that can make full use of the NIR portion of sunlight.