Synthesis and bader analyzed cobalt-phthalocyanine modified solar UV-blind β-Ga2O3 quadrilateral nanorods photocatalysts for wide-visible-light driven H2 evolution

In this work, an efficient wide solar light-driven photocatalyst based on solar UV-blind beta-Ga2O3 quadrilateral nanorods (beta-GOR) has been modified with cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc). Guided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental results, H-bond strengthened interfacial connection was established to purchase wide range of solar radiations and applied as an efficient photocatalysts for H-2 evolution from water. The optimized 3CoPc/beta-GOR nanocomposite unveiled an unprecedented in the quantum efficiency (0.38%) at 660 nm excitation wavelength with outstanding structural stability compare to the pristine solar UV-blind beta-GOR (0%). The much extended photoactivities are accredited to the formation of strong H-bond between CoPc and beta-GOR, that accelerated charge transformation as confirmed from Bader charge/work function analysis, activation of O2, wide visible-light absorption, as well as joint DFT and experimental results. We believe that this system will also work for other metal phthalocyanines such as ZnPc, NiPc and HPc together with beta-GOR towards next-generation efficient photocatalysts with wide-visible light response.

Automated summary

In this study, an efficient wide-spectrum solar light-driven photocatalyst based on solar UV-blind beta-Ga2O3 quadrilateral nanorods modified with cobalt phthalocyanine has been developed for H-2 evolution from water. The optimized 3CoPc/beta-GOR nanocomposite showed unprecedented quantum efficiency at 660 nm excitation wavelength, along with outstanding structural stability compared to the pristine beta-GOR.