Artificial visible light-induced H2O2 production using polymeric K/O-doped carbon nitride as a catalyst

In an attempt to improve the decrease in H2O2 yield, resulting from slow electron transfer, availability of limited active sites for reaction, and low O-2 activation of pristine polymeric carbon nitride (PCN), we fabricated a K/O-modified PCN photocatalyst with a high specific surface area and high O-2 activation ability. A synergy between K and O dopants in PCN aided in reducing the reaction energy barrier of the center dot OOH intermediate species, thereby allowing PCN to exhibit a high H2O2 yield under white LED light 4428.3 mu mol g(-1)h(-1)), almost 28 times higher in comparison to that obtained for the pristine PCN. The solar-to-chemical conversion (SCC) efficiencies in the presence of modified PCN were respectively equal to 0.05 % and 0.52 % under white LED light in pure water and ethanol solution (ethanol, 10 vol%). Additionally, the modified PCN exhibited a quite wide optical response. The apparent quantum yields (AQYs) of our modified PCN in ethanol were equal to 23.52 % and 1.19 % at 385 and 520 nm, respectively. Polymeric K/O-doped carbon nitride can therefore be utilized as a potential catalyst for artificial visible light-induced H2O2 production.

Automated summary

By modifying the carbon nitride catalyst, the yield of H2O2 is significantly improved and it exhibits a wide optical response, making it suitable for artificial visible light-induced H2O2 production.