A strategy to construct (reduced graphene oxide, γ-Fe2O3)/C3N4 step-scheme photocatalyst for visible-light water splitting

The interface architecture plays important role in the charge transfer and separation of S-scheme photocatalysis. Herein, we propose a strategy to synthesize (reduced graphene oxide, gamma-Fe2O3)/C3N4 S-scheme heterojunctions by thermal treatment of MIL-101(Fe) and melamine. (rGO, gamma-Fe2O3)/C3N4 presents a high oxygen evolution rate (OER) of 3.85 mmol center dot g(-1)center dot h(-1) under visible irradiation, and overall water splitting activity with the hydrogen evolution (HER) and OER rates of 23.3 and 12 mu mol center dot g(-1)center dot h(-1), respectively. The band alignments by different Fermi levels of C3N4 and (rGO, gamma-Fe2O3) result in internal electric field, which significantly enhances the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes.

Automated summary

The synthesis of (reduced graphene oxide, gamma-Fe2O3)/C3N4 heterojunctions by thermal treatment shows high oxygen evolution rate and overall water splitting activity, with enhanced separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes due to internal electric field from different Fermi levels alignment.