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Superior photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4@Cu-TiO2 core-shell structure for hydrogen production from H2O splitting and C2H5OH dehydrogenation under solar light

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  • Rani, Shikha
  • Singh, Satnam
  • Pal, Bonamali

Abstract

The research addresses the issue of low efficiency in solar-driven hydrogen production by fabricating innovative photocatalysts with optimized band gap engineering, boosting charge separation, and light absorption. Graphitic nitride (g-C3N4; 5–15 wt%) coated Cu (3 wt%)-TiO2 core-shell nanostructure was synthesized and thoroughly characterized by XRD, HRTEM, Raman, PL, FESEM, DRS, and EDS-mapping for optical, structural, shape, and morphological properties. Pristine P25 TiO2 exhibited minimal H2 evolution, which significantly improved after photo-depositing Cu over TiO2, producing up to 590 mmol through water splitting and up to 2.98 mol through ethanol dehydrogenation after 5 h of sunlight exposure. Further, the core-shell g-C3N4(12 wt%) coated Cu-TiO2 photocatalysts evolved the highest yield of 1.3 mol of H2 via water splitting and 5.6 mol via ethanol dehydrogenation during 5 h solar irradiation, respectively. The work demonstrates the core-shell morphology, Cu induced surface plasmon resonance, and g-C3N4 has a wider surface area, providing more active sites, and has the potential to improve photocatalytic efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Rani, Shikha & Singh, Satnam & Pal, Bonamali, 2025. "Superior photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4@Cu-TiO2 core-shell structure for hydrogen production from H2O splitting and C2H5OH dehydrogenation under solar light," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:253:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125012960
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123634
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    Cited by:

    1. Chu, Sheng & Wang, Xintie & Xu, Xiaoyu & Duan, Siyuan & Zhang, Zhuzhu & Sun, Lijuan & Xu, Lian-Hua & Zhang, Huiyan, 2026. "Enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting efficiency with a carbon/g-C3N4 composite," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PD).

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    JEL classification:

    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue

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