Synthesis of novel MoS2/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalysts with enhanced hydrogen evolution activity

Novel MoS2/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalysts were synthesized via a simple impregnation and heating methods. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The photocatalytic activities of MoS2/g-C3N4 samples were evaluated based on the hydrogen evolution experiments under visible light irradiation (lambda > 400 nm). The UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra revealed that the MoS2/g-C3N4 photocatalysts had strong absorption in the visible light region. The photocatalytic results indicated that the highest H-2 evolution rate of 23.10 mu mol.h(-1) was achieved on the 0.5 wt.% MoS2/g-C3N4 sample, which was enhanced by 11.3 times compared to pure g-C3N4. This study may provide an approach to the development of novel heterojunction photocatalysts for hydrogen production under visible light irradiation. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.