Simultaneous Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution and Degradation of Dye Wastewater without Cocatalysts and Sacrificial Agents Based on g‐C3N5 and Hybridized Ni‐MOF Derivative‐CdS‐DETA

Inspired by energy conversion and waste reuse, hybridized Ni-MOF derivative-CdS-DETA/g-C₃N₅, a type-II heterojunction photocatalyst, is synthesized by a hydrothermal method for simultaneous and highly efficient photocatalytic degradation and hydrogen evolution in dye wastewater. Without the addition of cocatalysts and sacrificial agents, the optimal MOF-CD(2)/CN5 (i.e. Ni-MOF derivative-CdS-DETA (20 wt.%)/g-C₃N₅) exhibit good bifunctional catalytic activity, with a H₂ evolution rate of 2974.4 µmol g^-1 h^-1 during the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB), and a removal rate of 99.97% for RhB. In the process of H₂-evolution-only, triethanolamine is used as a sacrificial agent, exhibiting a high H₂ evolution rate (19663.1 µmol g^-1 h^-1) in the absence of a cocatalyst, and outperforming most similar related materials (such as MOF/g-C₃N₅, MOF-CdS, CdS/g-C₃N₅). With the help of type-II heterojunction, holes are scavenged for the oxidative degradation of RhB, and electrons are used in the decomposition of water for H₂ evolution during illumination. This work opens a new path for photocatalysts with dual functions of simultaneous efficient degradation and hydrogen evolution.