Carbon fibers derived from spent cigarette filters for supporting ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 heterojunction toward enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

The research of waste recycling and clean energy are the key to sustainable development. To simultaneously accomplish the waste recycling and clean energy generation, carbon fibers (Fiber) prepared from the spent cigarette filters are utilized to promote the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution efficiency of a heterojunction photocatalyst. The spiral ladder morphology of Fiber supplies abundant loading sites for the ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 photocatalysts, allowing efficient charge separation. Detailed chemical and optical features of the samples are subsequently demonstrated by a combination of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared tests. X-ray photoelectron spectrum results reveal that a strong internal electric field was formed between Fiber and ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4, allowing sufficient driving force to extract the photo-generated electrons from the heterojunction photocatalyst. Gas chromatography monitors a ca. 37 % enhancement for H2 evolution (322.41 μmol·g−1·h−1) compared with control group. This work suggests an attempt to exploit general wastes for promoting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.