Rapid charge migration of hierarchical S-Scheme g-C3N4/CdS@C for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Photocatalytic H2 evolution as a resultful way to figure out energy problems is still inhibited by carrier separation efficiency and catalyst service life. Here, we report a hierarchical S-Scheme heterostructure of layered graphite carbon nitride and CdS nanoparticles coated with carbon film (g-C3N4/CdS@C) by a simple hydrothermal method for highly efficient visible-light-driven H2 evolution. The S-Scheme, comprising g-C3N4 and CdS, synergistically enhances the efficiency of carrier separation while maintaining the redox capacity of both components. The introduction of carbon film enhances the migration rate of carriers, in the meantime inhibits the photo corrosion of CdS to enhance the stability of catalyst. The g-C3N4/CdS@C achieves the H2 generation rate of 6.4 mmol g−1 h−1 and the apparent quantum yield of 12.7%, superior to most works on g-C3N4. This work provides a delicate S-Scheme photocatalyst and offers a valid strategy for prolonging the lifetime of transition metal sulfide-based materials.