In situ synthesis of graphitic-C3N4 nanosheet hybridized N-doped TiO2 nanofibers for efficient photocatalytic H2 production and degradation

Graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C3N4 NSs) hybridized nitrogen doped titanium dioxide (N-TiO2) nanofibers (GCN/NT NFs) have been synthesized in situ via a simple electrospinning process combined with a modified heat-etching method. The prepared GCN/NT NFs were characterized by a variety of methods and their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by hydrogen (H-2) production from water splitting and degradation of rhodamine B in aqueous solution. It was found that the GCN/NT NFs have a mesoporous structure, composed of g-C3N4 NSs and N-doped TiO2 crystallites. The g-C3N4 NSs synthesized after heat-etching were found to be embedded in, and covered, the hybrid NFs to form stable interfaces. The partial decomposition of g-C3N4 releases its nitrogen content which eventually gets doped into the nearby TiO2 skeleton. The GCN/NT NFs give a high photocatalytic H-2 production rate of 8,931.3 mu mol center dot h(-1)center dot g(-1) in aqueous methanol solution under simulated solar light. Such a highly efficient photocatalytic performance can be ascribed to the combined effects of g-C3N4 NSs and N-doped TiO2 with enhanced light absorption intensity and improved electron transport ability. Also, the large surface area of the mesoporous NFs minimizes light reflection on the surface and provides more surface-active sites. This work highlights the potential of quasi-one dimensional hybrid materials in the field of solar energy conversion.