Synthesis of borocarbonitride nanosheets from biomass for enhanced charge separation and hydrogen production

Abstract Borocarbonitride (BCN) materials have shown significant potential as photocatalysts for hydrogen production. However, traditional bulk BCN exhibits only moderate photocatalytic activity. In this study, we introduce an environmentally conscious and sustainable strategy utilizing biomass-derived carbon sources to synthesize BCN nanosheets. The hydrogen evolution efficiency of BCN-A nanosheets (110 μmol h −1 g −1 ) exceeds that of bulk BCN photocatalysts (12 μmol h −1 g −1 ) by 9.1 times, mainly due to the increased surface area (205 m 2 g −1 ) and the presence of numerous active sites with enhanced charge separation capabilities. Notably, the biomass-derived BCN nanosheets offer key advantages such as sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and reduced carbon footprint during hydrogen production. These findings highlight the potential of biomass-based BCN nanomaterials to facilitate a greener and more efficient route to hydrogen energy, contributing to the global transition towards renewable energy solutions.