Well-designed three-dimensional hierarchical hollow tubular g-C3N4/ZnIn2S4 nanosheets heterostructure for achieving efficient visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production is an important strategy to achieve clean energy development. In this report, a novel three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical hollow tubular g-C3N4/ZnIn2S4 nanosheets (HTCN/ZIS) type-II heterojunction photocatalyst was successfully prepared and applied for photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light irradiation. The experimental results reveal that the optimal proportion of HTCN/ZIS with the remarkable photocatalytic H-2 evolution rate of 20738 mu mol h(-1) g(-1) was obtained. The main reasons for the improvement of hydrogen production activity are as follows: (i) this unique tubular hollow structure can effectively enhances the light capturing ability by the multiple light scattering/reflection of incident light in the inner cavity; (ii) the shorten the phase plane transmission distance could reduce the path of charge transfer; (iii) the surface coated a large number of scaly ZnIn2S4 nanosheets can provide abundant reactive sites. Combining the various characterization tests, the enhanced spatial segregation of charge carriers could owning to the intimately interfacial contact and well-matched band gaps structure between g-C3N4 and ZnIn2S4 through the type II heterojunction. This work provides a new prospect for the construction of a novel 3D hierarchical type II heterojunction photocatalyst for highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A novel photocatalyst with 3D hierarchical structure and type II heterojunction was successfully prepared to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen production efficiency under visible light. The improved efficiency was attributed to the unique hollow tubular structure, shortened charge transfer path, and abundant reactive sites provided by ZnIn2S4 nanosheets.