Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from ZnO-loaded carbon nanotube

Abstract

Graphene-based materials attract important interest due to their enhanced electron transfer efficiency in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions. In this study, 1D graphene-based nanomaterial combined with ZnO and produced heterostructured CNT/ZnO nanocomposite catalyst enhance the hydrogen evolution. Herein, co-catalysts (MoSx and Pt) were photodeposited onto CNT/ZnO nanocomposite catalyst in water, resulting in the formation of CNT/ZnO/MoSx and CNT/ZnO/Pt through the reduction of (NH4)2MoS4 and H2PtCl6.6H2O, respectively. The photodeposition of co-catalysts on the CNT/ZnO nanocomposite provided enhanced catalytic efficiency and stability due to increased active surface area and enhanced electron transfer capabilities. CNT/ZnO/MoSx photocatalysts are one of the most promising, clean and sustainable energy carrier for photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Keywords

• hydrogen
• graphene-based nanomaterials
• photocatalytic activity
• photodeposiition

References

1. Archana S. 2023. Development of Novel Nanomaterials Based Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion Devices. Kansas State University.
2. Asma MA, Taha TA, Zayed M, Gamal A, Shaaban M, Ahmed AM, Mohamed F. 2023. Impact of carbon nanotubes concentrations on the performance of carbon nanotubes/zinc oxide nanocomposite for photoelectrochemical water splitting. J Electroanal Chem, 943: 117579.
3. Bakos LP, Justh N, Costa UCMSB, László K, Lábár JL, Igricz T, Varga-Josepovits K, Pasierb P, Färm E, Ritala K. 2020. Photocatalytic and gas sensitive multiwalled carbon nanotube/TiO2-ZnO and ZnO-TiO2 composites prepared by atomic layer deposition. Nanomater, 10: 252.
4. Genc MT, Sarilmaz A, Aslan E, Ozel F, Patir IH. 2024. Biotemplated silicon carbide-loaded ytterbium oxide: Effective catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions. Mol Catal, 556: 113915
5. Genç MT, Sarilmaz A, Dogan S, Çekceoğlu İA, Ozen A, Aslan E, Okan BS, Jaafar J, Ozel F, Ersoz M, Patir IH. 2023a. Thermally-exfoliated graphene Oxide/ZnO nanocomposite catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and antibacterial activities. Int J Hydrog Energy, 48: 30407-19. 2023b. Thermally-exfoliated graphene Oxide/ZnO nanocomposite catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and antibacterial activities. Int J Hydrog Energy.
6. Hongwei B, Zan X, Zhang L, Sun DD. 2015. Multi-functional CNT/ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposite membrane for concurrent filtration and photocatalytic degradation. Sep Purif Technol, 156: 922-30
7. Irshad A, Shukrullah S, Naz MY, Rasheed MA, Ahmad M, Ahmed E, Akhtar MS, Khalid NR, Hussain A, Khalid S. 2021. Boosted hydrogen evolution activity from Sr doped ZnO/CNTs nanocomposite as visible light driven photocatalyst. Int J Hydrog Energy, 46: 26711-24
8. Juan W, Wang G, Jiang J, Wan Z, Su Y, Tang H. 2020. Insight into charge carrier separation and solar-light utilization: rGO decorated 3D ZnO hollow microspheres for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. J Colloid Interface Sci,564: 322-32

9. Jun YY, Wang F, Hu B, Lu HW, Yu ZT, Zou ZG. 2015. Significant enhancement in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water using a MoS 2 nanosheet-coated ZnO heterostructure photocatalyst. Dalton Trans, 44: 10997-1003.
10. Parisa G, Fattahi M, Rasekh B, Yazdian F. 2020. Developing the ternary ZnO doped MoS2 nanostructures grafted on CNT and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) for photocatalyticdegradation of aniline. Sci Rep, 10:
11. Peirong C, Wang L, Wang P, Kostka A, Wark M, Muhler M, Beranek R. 2015. CNT-TiO2− δ composites for improved co-catalyst dispersion and stabilized photocatalytic hydrogen production.Catal, 5: 270-85.
12. Pooja D, Rana G, Kumar A, Sharma G, Vo DVN, Naushad M. 2022. ZnO-based heterostructures as photocatalysts for hydrogen generation and depollution: a review.Environ Chem Lett, 1-35. Preethi V, Kanmani S. 2013. Photocatalytic hydrogen production. Mater Sci Semicond Process, 16: 561-75.
13. Sharma SK, Gupta R, Sharma G, Vemula K, Koirala AR, Kaushik NK, Choi EH, Kim DY, Purohit LP, Singh BP. 2021. Photocatalytic performance of yttrium-doped CNT-ZnO nanoflowers synthesized from hydrothermal method.Mater Today Chem, 20: 100452.
14. Teets TS, Nocera DG. 2011. Photocatalytic hydrogen production. ChemComm, 47: 9268-74.
15. Yuvaraj H, Shim JJ. 2014. Supercritical fluid mediated synthesis of highly exfoliated graphene/ZnO composite for photocatalytic hydrogen production. Mater Lett, 133: 24-27.
16. Wang X, Li Q, Xu H, Gan L, Ji X, Liu H, Zhang R. 2020. CuS-modified ZnO rod/reduced graphene oxide/CdS heterostructure for efficient visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen generation. Int J Hydrog Energy, 45: 28394-403.