A novel photoanode based on thorium oxide (ThO2) incorporated with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) for photoelectrochemical water splitting

Mohamed, Nurul Aida and Ismail, Aznan Fazli and Safaei, Javad and Johan, Mohd Rafie and Mat Teridi, Mohd Asri (2021) A novel photoanode based on thorium oxide (ThO2) incorporated with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Applied Surface Science, 569. p. 151043. ISSN 0169-4332, DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2021.151043.

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Abstract

In this study, a new insight into the doping engineering with nuclear fuel (ThO2) was performed and applied in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. The successfully synthesized g-C3N4/ThO2 (~5.8%) via thermal treatment and g-C3N4 polymerization (precursor: Urea, 30 min; 520 ˚C) manifested a remarkable and superior photocatalytic activity. The photocurrent density achieved for g-C3N4/ThO2 was 9.71 μcm−2 at 1.23 V vs. Ag/AgCl under simulated light (100 mW/cm2) that is more than twice compared with the un-doped g-C3N4 (~4.23 μA cm−2). The introduction of Thorium Nitrate during g-C3N4 polymerization altered the chemical bonding, structure, and morphology, with the improved PEC stability of the photoanode. Besides, doping with ThO2 increased the intensity of triazine and C-N bond in the g-C3N4 network, as observed by FT-IR analysis. The unique “hollow cylindrical” architecture also increased the surface area, light absorption, as well as the catalytic sites. The enhanced separation of photo-generated electron–hole pairs reduced the carrier recombination that was obviously probed via Photoluminescence spectra. Therefore, due to the photostability and the good performance, the g-C3N4/ThO2 composite can be envisioned as a potential candidate in the field of photocatalysis and prospectively be applied in PEC solar water splitting. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.

Item Type: Article
Funders: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaya[DIP-2020-022], Universiti Malaya[GUP-2020-073], Universiti Malaya[RU 001-2020], UKM Centre for Research and Instrumentation (CRIM)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Doping; Graphitic Carbon Nitride; Photoelectrochemical (PEC); Thin film; Thorium Oxide
Subjects: Q Science > QC Physics
Q Science > QD Chemistry
Divisions: Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Office > Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 29 Dec 2021 02:04
Last Modified: 14 Apr 2022 03:46
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/26071

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