Fabrication of heterostructured CdS/g-C3N4/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite synthesized through ultrasonic-assisted method for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production

Abstract

To photocatalytic hydrogen production from water, efficient nanocomposite designs strengthen the active sites of efficient heterostructured photocatalysts and provide directional transfer of photocarriers. In this study, we fabricated CdS/g-C3N4/ZnFe2O4 for hydrogen production from water by the visible light illumination. Firstly, the CdS/g-C3N4/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite was synthesized via the ultrasonication procedure. Secondly, the crystal structure, morphology, chemical valence, and functional groups of all samples were examined by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, XPS, FTIR, UV–Vis, PL spectroscopy, etc. The electrochemical behaviors of all samples were measured via EIS, LSV, photocurrent, Tafel, etc. techniques. Finally, the hydrogen evolution rate of all samples was analyzed by gas chromatography and it was determined that the CdS/g-C3N4/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite had the highest hydrogen production rate with 405 µmol g−1 under visible light. The hydrogen production rate of CdS/g-C3N4/ZnFe2O4 is 45.73, 30.04, 6.46, 3.95, and 1.72 times higher than that of ZnFe2O4, g-C3N4, CdS, g-C3N4/ZnFe2O4, and CdS/g-C3N4 respectively. With the type II heterostructure of the CdS/g-C3N4/ZnFe2O4 ternary nanocomposite, efficient directional transfer of photocarriers is achieved and recombination of photocarriers is averted. This study offers new alternatives on the preparation of magnetic ternary photocatalysts with increased photocatalytic efficiency and stability for hydrogen production applications.