Bi2MoO6/g-C3N4/CNT ternary nanocomposite solar energy material for boosting photocatalytic H2 evolution and N2 fixation to ammonia

Abstract

The rational design of the photocatalytic system consisting of solar energy material semiconductors to convert solar energy into good chemicals or renewable fuels is an attractive strategy to achieve sustainable development. Here, hydrogen fuel is produced by using Bi₂MoO₆/g-C₃N₄/CNT ternary nanocomposite solar energy material in aqueous medium and using simulated sunlight. Also, the mentioned nanocomposite shows a promising ability to produce ammonia in the water environment and the presence of nitrogen gas under ambient conditions. The presence of CNT in the nanocomposite not only increases the efficient usage of incident photons, but also effectively separates charge carriers and facilitates the transfer of electrons and their use in nitrogen fixing to ammonia. The optimized nanocomposite (Bi₂MoO₆/g-C₃N₄/CNT) had significantly high photocatalytic activity, exhibiting the highest production of H₂ and NH₃ relative to Bi₂MoO₆ and g-C₃N₄. Finally, a logical charge transfer mechanism was proposed for H₂ evolution and NH₃ production.