Synthesis of solar-light responsive Pt/g-C3N4/SrTiO3 composite for improved hydrogen production: Investigation of Pt/g-C3N4/SrTiO3 synthetic sequences

Solar-light responsive platinum/graphite-like carbon nitride/strontium titanate (Pt/g-C3N4/SrTiO3) with excellent charge separation was synthesized via thermal treatment process. A photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of 552 mu mol/h/g was achieved under simulated sunlight irradiation for the Pt/(g-C3N4/SrTiO3) catalyst with 5 v/v% triethanolamine (TEOA) as a sacrificial agent. The hydrogen production rate of Pt/g-C3N4/SrTiO3 prepared via different synthetic sequences decreased in the following order: Pt/(g-C3N4/SrTiO3) > (Pt/g-C3N4)/SrTiO3 > g-C3N4/(Pt/SrTiO3). The mechanisms of electron transfer in the different synthetic sequences of Pt/g-C3N4/SrTiO3 were investigated. The electron transfer pathway of Pt/(g-C3N4/SrTiO3) was as follows: (1) g-C3N4 -> SrTiO3 -> Pt, (2) g-C3N4 -> Pt, (3) SrTiO3 -> Pt, and (4) g-C3N4 -> SrTiO3, leading to optimal charge separation and H+ ion reduction. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.