Enhanced photocatalytic H2 production over dual-cocatalyst-modified g-C3N4 heterojunctions

Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited on the surface of g-C3N4 (CN) by an in situ calcination method. NiS was successfully loaded onto the composites by a hydrothermal method. The results showed that the 10 wt%-NiS/1.0 wt%-Ag/CN composite exhibits excellent photocatalytic H2 generation performance under solar-light irradiation. An H2 production rate of 9.728 mmol·g−1·h−1 was achieved, which is 10.82-, 3.45-, and 2.77-times higher than those of pure g-C3N4, 10 wt%-NiS/CN, and 1.0 wt%-Ag/CN composites, respectively. This enhanced photocatalytic H2 generation can be ascribed to the co-decoration of Ag and NiS on the surface of g-C3N4, which efficiently improves light harvesting capacity, photogenerated charge carrier separation, and photocatalytic H2 production kinetics. Thus, this study demonstrates an effective strategy for constructing excellent g-C3N4-related composite photocatalysts for H2 production by using different co-catalysts.