Single-sites Rh-phosphide modified carbon nitride photocatalyst for boosting hydrogen evolution under visible light

Abstract In this paper, we prepare porous g-C3N4 by hydrothermal process, and then Rh atoms are anchored on the carbon nitride framework. After further phosphating, a novel single-sites-like Rh-phosphide (Rh-P) modified carbon nitride photocatalyst is fabricated. The photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of Rh-P modified carbon nitride is 33 times higher than that of pure C3N4. Structure analysis results show that Rh-P dots are dispersed with single-sites state on the surface of carbon nitride framework. Further theoretical calculation and the photoelectrochemical results reveal that Rh-P single-sites on carbon nitride provide photogenerated convergence centers to decrease the hydrogen evolution potential and enhance the free charge transfer capability. Thus, it improves the photocatalysis hydrogen evolution performance of the carbon nitride.