Hollow graphene with apparent potential difference to boost charge directional transfer for photocatalytic H2 evolution

g-C3N4 was in situ rooted into hollow graphene (g-C3N4@HG) for photocatalytic H2O dissociation into H-2 by vacuum-filling thermal polymerization. Characterizations and DFT calculations reveal that deviation of graphene (GR) into HG results in the activation of carbon n electrons, and the apparent potential difference between inner and outer surfaces of HG boosts charge directional transfer from the rooted g-C3N4 to HG. H-2 evolution efficiency of g-C3N4@HG is 1.43 mmol.g(-1)h(-1) without any noble metal as cocatalyst under visible irradiation, which is even more than 2.86, and 1.72 times that of g-C3N4 with 3 wt.% Pt, and g-C3N4/GR with 1 wt.% Pt, respectively. Results in the field of solar energy conversion supply a novel strategy to boost directional charge transfer for H-2 evolution by utilizing apparent potential difference of HG.

通过真空填充热聚合将g - C3N4原位根植于中空石墨烯（g - C3N4@HG）中，用于光催化H2O分解为H₂。表征和密度泛函理论（DFT）计算表明，石墨烯（GR）转变为HG导致碳n电子的活化，HG内外表面之间的表观电势差促进了电荷从根植的g - C3N4向HG的定向转移。在可见光照射下，没有任何贵金属作为助催化剂时，g - C3N4@HG的H₂析出效率为1.43 mmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹，这甚至分别是含3 wt.% Pt的g - C3N4和含1 wt.% Pt的g - C3N4/GR的2.86倍和1.72倍。太阳能转换领域的研究结果为利用HG的表观电势差促进H₂析出的定向电荷转移提供了一种新策略。