Development of Visible Light Responsive Photocatalyst combined with Graphitic Carbon Nitride and pi-Electron Conjugated Organocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K05072
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 26040:Structural materials and functional materials-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: SANO Taizo 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, エネルギー・環境領域, 総括研究主幹 (30357165)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 光触媒 / 水素発生 / 窒化炭素 / 有機分子触媒 / フッ素樹脂

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Assuming the existence of a mechanism that the π-conjugated system between organic molecules and g-C3N4 acts as an active site for hydrogen evolution, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism and search for highly active organic molecules. When a molecule with low solubility having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups was loaded, it showed hydrogen evolution activity, but the reproducibility was poor. Since fluorine atom contamination was observed in the relatively active g-C3N4, fluoropolymer was added to g-C3N4, and the activity was improved. Subsequently, the amounts of fluoropolymer and organic molecule added were controlled, but quantitative analysis was not possible. Finally, it was concluded that the high activity observed was due to metals (especially platinum) picked up by the fluoropolymer from the agate mortar.

Free Research Field

光触媒

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

グラファイト状窒化炭素は普遍的に存在する炭素、窒素、水素原子だけで構成されている。このメリットを活かすために、貴金属触媒を用いず、有機分子触媒を用いて水素を発生する技術に挑戦したが、有機分子にはそのメリットを活かせるだけの触媒効果がないことが確認できた。また、注意深く実験器具を洗浄してもフッ素樹脂や貴金属が窒化炭素を汚染することが確認され、これが大きく水素発生速度に影響を与えてしまうことが確認できた。白金に匹敵する効果を持つ触媒を用いる場合には問題にならないが、新規で活性の明らかでない触媒を適用する場合には、貴金属を使用する実験と器具を共有しない必要がある。