Nickel nanoparticles coated with graphene layers as efficient co-catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

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Author(s)
Fang, Li Jun
Wang, Xue Lu
Li, Yu Hang
Liu, Peng Fei
Wang, Yu Lei
Zeng, Hui Dan
Yang, Hua Gui
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2017
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Abstract

Metallic nickel nanoparticles well dispersed in graphitized carbon matrix (Ni@C) by pyrolysis of metal-organic frameworks and leaching treatment of hydrochloric acid could greatly enhance the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 under visible light irradiation. For 2.0 wt% Ni@C/g-C3N4, the average hydrogen evolution rate is 2.15 mmol h−1 g−1, which is around 88 times higher than that of pure g-C3N4, and even better than that of platinum-loaded g-C3N4. The remarkably improved photocatalytic activities through loading Ni@C can be attributed to the cooperative work of Ni nanoparticles and graphene layers, which facilitate the separation of photo-generated carriers and suppress the recombination of the electron-hole pairs. In addition, the hollow onion-like structure can restrain the formation of Ni-hydrogen bonds which modulates desorption of hydrogen. Our studies may open up a promising strategy to design economical noble-metal-free co-catalysts for efficient solar energy conversion.

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Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

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200

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Physical chemistry

Chemical engineering

Environmental engineering

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Physical Sciences

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Fang, LJ; Wang, XL; Li, YH; Liu, PF; Wang, YL; Zeng, HD; Yang, HG, Nickel nanoparticles coated with graphene layers as efficient co-catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2017, 200, pp. 578-584

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