NiCo2S4 decorated g-C3N4 nanosheets for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-020-4753-5
• Publication Date: 2020-01-31T05:14:15Z
• Authors: Chunhe Li; Yulan Liang; Zhufeng Lu; Xiaoyan Xiang; Lu Ying; Hongmei Wang
• Keywords: Triethanolamine; Noble metal

Efficient hole-electron pair separation plays a crucial role in enhancing photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4, which usually requires a noble metal cocatalyst. Here we report metallic NiCo2S4 nanoparticles as a cocatalyst and replacement of noble metals to improve the performance of g-C3N4 for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. NiCo2S4 nanoparticle-modified g-C3N4 has been successfully synthesized. Experimental results indicate that the loading of NiCo2S4 boosts the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of g-C3N4. The photocatalytic HER of the NiCo2S4/g-C3N4 was investigated using triethanolamine as a sacrificial agent. The 5%-NiCo2S4/g-C3N4 nanocomposite displayed the optimal H2 production rate of 244.7 μmol h−1 g−1, which is about 153 times higher than that of pure g-C3N4. The intimate interface contact between NiCo2S4 and g-C3N4 favors charge separation and is likely responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activity. This work provides the evidence that NiCo2S4 is a potential cocatalyst for boosting the HER activity of NiCo2S4/g-C3N4 nanocomposite.