Single-atom Pt decorated g-C3N5 nanorods as highly efficient photocatalyst for H2 evolution and wastewater purification

Single-atom Pt decorated g-C3N5 nanorods (Pt SA/C3N5) were synthesized that exhibit highly efficient photocatalytic performance toward H2 evolution and wastewater purification. Implanting single Pt atoms into rod-like g-C3N5 through Pt-N coordination bonds could not only optimize its band structure, but also improve its specific surface area and promote the charge transfer. Therefore, the photocatalytic H2 evolution of Pt SA/C3N5 (444.2 mu mol g-1 h-1) is about 4.4 times higher than that of C3N5 (102.0 mu mol g-1 h-1), and its apparent quantum efficiency can reach 0.47 % at 420 nm. Furthermore, the degradation efficiency of Pt SA/C3N5 for Rhodamine B, Methylene blue and Malachite green is about 2.5, 1.6 and 1.5 times higher than that of C3N5, respectively. Moreover, Pt SA/C3N5 exhibits excellent stability on both the H2 evolution and wastewater purification. This research provides a neoteric way to build efficient photocatalysts that can be applied to energy and environment.