Construction of II-type and Z-scheme binding structure in P-doped graphitic carbon nitride loaded with ZnO and ZnTCPP boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

A ternary heterostructure (ZnPPO) was constructed by loading ZnO and tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) zinc porphyrin (ZnTCPP) with P-doped g-C3N4 (PCN). In contrast to binary heterostructures (PCN-ZnO, ZnTCPP-ZnO and ZnTCPP-PCN) and single components (PCN, ZnTCPP and ZnO), ZnPPO has superior photocatalytic activity for H2 generation from water splitting. It is revealed that a binding structure of II-type and Z-scheme has been constructed in ZnPPO, which plays a vital role in transferring photo-excited charge carriers. The significant enhancement of photocatalytic activity in ZnPPO is attributed to the effective transfer of photo-generated electrons and holes between the components of the ternary heterostructure.

Automated summary

A ternary heterostructure (ZnPPO) consisting of ZnO, tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) zinc porphyrin (ZnTCPP), and P-doped g-C3N4 (PCN) was developed. ZnPPO demonstrates superior photocatalytic activity for H2 generation from water splitting compared to binary heterostructures and single components. The enhancement can be attributed to the effective transfer of photo-generated charge carriers in the II-type and Z-scheme binding structure.