A novel microwave induced preparation of CuFe2O4/g-C3N4-based efficient photocatalyst for enhanced visible-light hydrogen evolution

A prominent issue is developing low-cost photocatalysts for water splitting hydrogen evolution. This work used a one-step microwave irradiation technique to make a copper ferrite incorporated graphitic carbon nitride (CuFe2O4/g-C3N4) nanocomposite for use as a visible-light reactive photocatalyst. XRD, SEM, TEM, Raman, UV, PL, and BET were used to analyze the structural, morphological, optical and elemental composition of the composite photocatalysts. CuFe2O4 was successfully incorporated in a g-C3N4 matrix in this composite, resulting in a CuFe2O4/g-C3N4 heterostructure that is substantially more efficient in photocatalytic H-2 generation by water splitting under visible light. The photocatalytic activity of CuFe2O4/g-C3N4 composites is influenced by the CuFe2O4 loading mass. The 15-CuFe2O4/g-C3N4 composite, which includes 15% CuFe2O4, has a greater photocatalytic activity than the massive g-C3N4, with such a hydrogen evolution rate of 545 molh(-1) g(-1), which really is 9.1-fold that of the massive g-C3N4. This paper proposes a new way for improving semiconductor-based heterostructures for solar fuel generation efficiency.

Automated summary

This study developed a CuFe2O4/g-C3N4 nanocomposite through microwave irradiation as a visible-light responsive photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution. Various analyses confirmed the high activity of this composite in photocatalytic water splitting, suggesting a new approach for improving semiconductor-based heterostructures for solar fuel generation efficiency.