Ternary nanocomposites of mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride/black phosphorus/gold nanoparticles (mpg-CN/BP-Au) for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and electrochemical sensing of paracetamol

Abstract

We report herein the fabrication of a novel ternary nanocomposite of mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride/black phosphorus-gold nanoparticles (mpg-CN/BP-Au) and its catalytic performance in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and electrochemical detection of paracetamol. The photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of mpg-CN/BP-Au nanocomposite (1024 mu mol g-1 for 8 h) is compared with mpg-CN, mpg-CN/BP and mpgCN/Au in the presence of triethanolamine (TEOA) as a hole scavenger under the visible light. In addition to the photocatalytic HER application, as-prepared mpg-CN/BP-Au nanocomposite was deposited on modified glassy carbon electrode (mpg-CN/BP-Au/GCE) and for the first time tested for the detection of paracetamol (PA). Under the optimum conditions, linear range of paracetamol detection was found to be in the range of 0.3-120 mu M with a detection limit of 0.0425 mu M. mpg-CN/BP-Au/GCE provided higher electrocatalytic activity than pristine mpgCN and all other tested binary nanocomposites. The enhanced photo- and electrochemical activity of mpgCN/BP-Au/GCE are attributed to formation of heterojunction between BP and mpg-CN materials. Additionally, Au nanoparticles increase the rate of adsorption of mpg-CN/BP due to the excellent electrical properties and spillover effect. We believe that the presented design and catalysis of the ternary nanocomposite will pave a way in many photo- and electrochemical applications.