Fabrication of ZnO-Carbon Dots Composite via Microcrystalline Cellulose for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production under Simulated Sunlight Irradiation

Authors

  • Xiangyu Li Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
  • Wanquan Hu Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
  • Shuo Qiao Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
  • Yuexin Chang Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
  • Longxiao Gu Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
  • Yang Wang Harbin Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Harbin Centre for Health Examination), Harbin 150030, China
  • Hui-Liang Sun Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
  • Yuan-Ru Guo Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China

Keywords:

ZnO, CDs, Microcrystalline cellulose, Photocatalysis, Hydrogen production

Abstract

The composite ZnO@CDs was prepared via the hydrothermal method. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was used as the source of carbon dots (CDs). X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analyses were used to characterize the structure and morphology of ZnO@CDs. The prepared ZnO showed a flake morphology with the exposed plane of (001). The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) characterization showed that CDs can be produced by decomposition of MCC and then attached on the surface of ZnO. The photocatalytic properties of ZnO@CDs were investigated under simulated sunlight irradiation. The hydrogen production reached 1240 µmol·g-1 in 30 min, which was much higher than the bare ZnO. The mechanism for the enhanced catalytic property of ZnO@CDs was studied. A high hydrogen production rate (2480 µmol·g-1·h-1) in the short term would enable ZnO@CDs to work as an emergency power supply by hydrogen production and use for restoring electricity and wireless communication in complicated situations.

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Published

2024-06-28

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 3 (2024)

Section

Research Article or Brief Communication