Extremely Effective Visible Light-Driven Generation of Hydrogen by Sol–Gel LaFeO3-Decorated g-C3N4 Photocatalyst

Abstract

In order to create a new design for an efficient photocatalyst, you need to decrease the obtained band gap and isolate the charge carriers photogenerated while setting up a new visible light methodology. The latter option could be accomplished via combination of catalyst in the metal oxide form over the surface of semiconductor. Hence, the current work aimed at synthesizing a new nanocomposite material from LaFeO3/g-C3N4 through the use of mesoporous silica as a template processing g-C3N4 higher surface area, which was subsequently decorated with LaFeO3. The LaFeO3 of variable content of 1∼4% was used to decorate our targeted basic material. The structure was confirmed by ordinary techniques, in addition to photocatalytic ability via splitting water reaction. g-C3N4 and LaFeO3 photocatalytic efficiencies were compared to the newly developed LaFeO3/g-C3N4 nanocomposites showing their outstanding activity. The optimum LaFeO3 content was confirmed as 3%, which gave higher photocatalytic efficiency against both g-C3N4 and LaFeO3 (34 and 21 times respectively). To enhance the catalytic system efficiency, a scavenger with a positive hole was added as glycerol. A maximum of five runs of higher efficient reuse was examined as required, as well as stable nanocomposite photocatalyst. The mesoporous structure, high surface area, and capacity of charge separation over the photocatalysis process were all investigated as main conditions which affect photocatalytic activity of LaFeO3/g-C3N4 nanocomposites.