Silicon carbide/carbon nitride 1D/2D heterostructure towards superior visible-light-driven hydrogen generation from water splitting

Abstract

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water splitting is an attractive way to handle the energy crisis. Herein, a SiC/g-C₃N₄ 1D/2D heterostructure photocatalyst was prepared via two-step polymerization of melamine on the surface of SiC nanowires. The incorporation of SiC nanowires induce the broadened light absorption, enlarged surface area and accelerated carrier separation and transfer across the SiC/g-C₃N₄ heterostructure. Consequently, the 1D/2D SiC/g-C₃N₄ exhibits higher H₂ generation rate (2250 µmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹), which is 53 times higher than that of pristine g-C₃N₄ and superior to the already reported 0D/2D SiC/g-C₃N₄ photocatalysts. This work develops a novel 1D/2D heterojunction for the highly effective photocatalytic H₂ generation in the visible region.