Applied Surface Science

Heterojunction; CN; H2 evaluation; Co-catalyst; Interfacial engineering; Charge carrier dynamics; Plasmonic photocatalyst

It is essential to develop stable, visible-light photocatalysts that efficiently convert solar energy into fuel. Including a co-catalyst in a heterojunction structure can increase hydrogen production efficiency. The objective of this study is to perform an in situ coupling of Pt onto the 2D/CN/rGO heterojunction using self-assisted sonication and chemical reduction in order to achieve a ternary heterojunction, 1D/2D/2D Pt/CN/rGO. As CN contains abundant amino groups and nitrogen defects, it forms a tightly integrated structure with oxygen-containing groups on rGO, while nitrogen lone pairs interact with PtNPs to improve their dispersion. As a result, rGO acts as a conductive bridge, and plasmonic metals extend light absorption into the visible and near-infrared regions. Through stacking between aromatic triazine rings, the synergistic effects within CN/rGO reduce interplanar spacing, thereby increasing electron transfer and reducing charge recombination, enhancing catalytic activity. In comparison to CN, binary PCN, and RCN-3, the 1D/2D/2D Pt/CN/rGO (RPCN-2) ternary heterojunction demonstrated the highest hydrogen production (H2) of 957 µmol g−1 h−1. In addition to creating advanced heterojunction-based materials with optimally integrated co-catalysts, this research also provides a strategic approach to interfacial engineering to address energy and environmental challenges.

Waqar Ahmad Qureshi

Juan Yang,Pei Zhao

Risheng Duan,Jina Gao,Ikram Ullah,Chen Yu,Ning Qin,Syed Najeeb-Uz-Zaman Haider,Amjad Ali,Muhammad Adnan Qaiser,Naushad Ahmad,Ahmad Naveed

Journal paper

167320

743

No

SCI