Excellent photocatalytic performances of Co3O4-AC nanocomposites for H2 production via wastewater splitting

Abstract

Natural sunlight-driven photocatalytic hydrogen production from wastewater is one of the most desirable techniques that can realize future green energy technology. Herein, we report the synthesis and the character-ization of the biomass activated carbon (AC)-decorated cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanocomposites for solar-stimulated photocatalytic hydrogen production from sulphide wastewater. The Co3O4-AC nanocomposites were ultrasoni-cally synthesized by using hydrothermally-grown spinel Co3O4 nanoflakes and biomass-derived AC nanoflakes. Co3O4-AC showed a nanobundle-like aggregated morphology, and exhibited a large specific surface area (-133 m(2)/g). Through utilizing Co3O4-AC as a photocatalyst for photocatalytic splitting of sulphide wastewater (0.2 M) under solar irradiance with 730 W/m(2), an enhanced H-2 production efficiency (-70 mL/h) was achieved owing to the synergic effects from 2-dimentionally configured Co3O4 and AC microstructures; i.e., large surface area of Co3O4 and high electrical conductivity of AC. These findings suggest the nanocomposites of Co3O4-AC to hold great promise for the green approach of photocatalytic wastewater splitting.