Graphitic-polytriaminopyrimidine (g-PTAP): A novel bifunctional catalyst for photoelectrochemical water splitting

In this study, an electrode of g-PTAP, a novel bifunctional catalyst for photoelectrochemical was fabricated and utilized for water splitting. The graphitic-poly (2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (g-PTAP) was synthesized by the thermal vapor condensation polymerization (TVCP) method on FTO glass. The structure, morphology, and optical characteristics of the resultant g-PTAP were analyzed using analytical techniques such as FT-IR, Raman, XRD, XPS, CHNS, FE-SEM, EDS, and DRS. The synthesized g-PTAP was graphitic with sheet-like morphology and revealed maximum light absorbance capacity in the visible range. The DFT calculation showed an appropriate HOMO-LUMO band position for overall water splitting which was verified experimentally for H₂ and O₂ generation at photocathode and photoanode, respectively. Moreover, the g-PTAP sample exhibited good photo-stability as a photocathode as compared to a photoanode. This work can provide a pathway for fabricating highly efficient semiconductor photocatalyst for overall water splitting and solar energy such as conversion.