Monolayered g-C3N4 nanosheet as an emerging cationic building block for bifunctional 2D superlattice hybrid catalysts with controlled defect structures

Nam Hee Kwon, Seung Jae Shin, Xiaoyan Jin, Youngae Jung, Geum Sook Hwang, Hyungjun Kim, Seong Ju Hwang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Scopus citations

Abstract

New class of superlattice nanohybrids of interstratified graphitic-carbon nitride (g-C3N4)–transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers are synthesized by employing pH-controlled g-C3N4 nanosheet (NS) as an emerging cationic building block. The interstratification of g-C3N4 and MoS2 NSs leads to strong interfacial electronic coupling, creation of nitrogen vacancy, and stabilization of 1T′-MoS2 phase. The superlattice g-C3N4–MoS2 nanohybrids display remarkably enhanced bifunctionality as photocatalysts for visible light-induced N2 fixation and electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution. Of prime importance is that the creation of nitrogen vacancy results in the significant improvement of selectivity for photocatalytic N2 fixation (582 μmolL−1h−1) over competitive photocatalytic H2 generation. This is attributable to promoted adsorption of nitrogen, provision of many active sites, and enhancement of charge transfer kinetics, charge separation, and visible light absorptivity. This study highlights that the application of g-C3N4 NS as a cationic building block provides valuable opportunity to widen the library of multifunctional NS-based superlattice nanohybrids.

Original languageEnglish
Article number119191
JournalApplied Catalysis B: Environmental
Volume277
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Nov 2020

Keywords

  • Bifunctional catalyst
  • Defect control
  • Interfacial electronic coupling
  • Selectivity
  • Superlattice

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