Arrays of TiO2 nanorods embedded with fluorine doped carbon nitride quantum dots (CNFQDs) for visible light driven water splitting

Graphenic semiconductors such as carbon nitride are attracting increasing attention as photocatalysts due to their chemical stability, visible light absorption and excellent electronic properties. The photocatalytic activity of nanostructured TiO2 catalysts is constrained by the wide bandgap and concomitant low visible light responsivity of TiO2. In this context we present the formation of new fluorine doped carbon nitride quantum dots (CNFQDs) by solid state reaction and the subsequent examination of their heterojunctions with TiO2 for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Arrays of rutile phase TiO2 nanorods embedded with CNFQDs were synthesized by a simple in situ hydrothermal approach and the resulting nanomaterials were found to exhibit strong visible light absorption. The energetics at the heterojunction were favorable for efficient electron transfer from CNFQDs to TiO2 under visible light irradiation and transfer of holes to the aqueous electrolyte. CNFQD-sensitized TiO2 nanorods exhibited a strong photoelectrochemical response up to 500 nm. Reuse experiments confirmed robustness and long term stability of the sample without exhausting the catalytic performance. The present work demonstrates a new pathway to sensitize TiO2 to visible photons by the in situ formation of embedded heterojunctions with fluorine doped carbon nitride quantum dots.