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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


Photocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Production by Antimony- and Potassium-Doped Polymeric Carbon Nitride}

Translated title

Photocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Production by Antimony- and Potassium-Doped Polymeric Carbon Nitride

Author

Term

4. Term

Publication year

2025

Submitted on

Pages

65

Abstract

Denne afhandling undersøger polymerisk carbonnitrid (PCN) som en lysdrevet katalysator (fotokatalysator) til mere bæredygtig fremstilling af hydrogenperoxid (H2O2). For at øge aktiviteten blev PCN dopet – det vil sige tilsat små mængder – af antimon (Sb) og kalium (K), både enkeltvis og samtidig (co-doping), for at finjustere materialets egenskaber. Et omfattende sæt analyser (bl.a. røntgendiffraktion, infrarød og UV–Vis spektroskopi, røntgenfotoelektronspektroskopi, fotoluminescens med tidsopløsning, elektronparamagnetisk resonans og elektrokemisk impedansspektroskopi) blev brugt til at vurdere, hvordan dopanterne påvirker struktur samt optiske og elektroniske egenskaber. Målingerne bekræftede, at Sb og K blev indbygget i PCN uden at ødelægge materialets grundlæggende struktur. Doping gav en rødforskydning i lysabsorptionen og et mindre båndgab, hvilket gør, at materialet udnytter mere af det synlige lys. Fotoluminescensdata viste mindre rekombination af ladningsbærere (færre elektroner og huller, der forenes igen) og bedre ladningsdynamik. EPR pegede på stærkere fotoinduceret ladningsaktivitet og aktivering af ilt, og EIS viste lavere ladningsoverførselsmodstand, særligt for K-dopet og Sb–K-samdopet PCN ved optimale dopantforhold. Fotokatalytiske forsøg viste, at Sb-dopet PCN producerede mere H2O2 end udopet PCN, og at den bedste ydeevne blev opnået ved en optimal dopantmængde på 1,25 mmol. Samtidig doping med en lille mængde kalium forbedrede aktiviteten yderligere, sandsynligvis på grund af en synergi mellem ændringer i den elektroniske struktur og bedre ladningstransport. Forsøg ved forskellige pH-værdier viste, at sure og neutrale forhold fremmer H2O2-dannelse, mens basiske forhold hæmmer aktiviteten, fordi H2O2 er mindre stabilt dér.

This thesis investigates polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) as a light-driven catalyst (photocatalyst) for more sustainable hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. To boost performance, PCN was doped—i.e., modified by adding small amounts—of antimony (Sb) and potassium (K), both individually and together (co-doping), to fine-tune its properties. A broad set of techniques (including X-ray diffraction, infrared and UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, time-resolved photoluminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) was used to assess how dopants affect the structure and the optical and electronic behavior. The measurements confirmed successful incorporation of Sb and K while preserving the PCN framework. Doping caused a redshift in light absorption and narrowed the bandgap, enabling better use of visible light. Photoluminescence analyses showed reduced charge recombination (fewer electrons and holes recombining) and improved charge-carrier dynamics. EPR indicated stronger photoinduced charge activity and oxygen activation, and EIS showed lower charge-transfer resistance, especially for K-doped and Sb–K co-doped PCN at optimal ratios. Photocatalytic tests showed that Sb-doped PCN produced more H2O2 than undoped (pristine) PCN, with the best performance at an optimal dopant loading of 1.25 mmol. Adding a small amount of potassium in co-doped samples further enhanced activity, likely due to a synergy between electronic-structure tuning and improved charge transport. Tests across pH conditions showed that acidic and neutral media favor H2O2 generation, whereas alkaline media suppress activity because H2O2 is less stable.

[This summary has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]