Polymeric carbon nitride hybridized by CuInS2 quantum dots for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

A p-n heterojunction photocatalyst for water splitting is synthesized by incorporating p-type CuInS2 quantum dots (QDs) into n-type polymeric carbon nitride (CN) by a self-assembly and calcination method. Benefiting from the enhanced electron-hole separation efficiency and improved visible light harvesting ability, the hydrogen evolution rate (HER) of the CuInS2/CN hybrid is two-folds higher than that of pristine CN. This work will open up new opportunities for the creation of highly-efficient photocatalysts for solar energy conversion.