Efficient hydrogen evolution from g-C3N4 under visible light by in situ loading Ag2Se nanoparticles as co-catalysts

The low charge separation and transfer of g-C3N4 hinders its industrial application in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Here, we design a novel co-catalyst strategy to integrate Ag2Se nanoparticles in situ on the surface of g-C3N4. The optimized photocatalyst, 15% Ag2Se/g-C3N4, demonstrates remarkable photocatalytic efficiency in the hydrogen evolution rate, reaching to 1102.8 μmol·g−1·h−1, 7 times higher than g-C3N4. To further elucidate the photocatalytic activity of 15% Ag2Se/g-C3N4, we present a possible mechanism based on various characterizations and density functional theory calculations. This research offers potential insights for the future development of silver chalcogenide composites in photocatalysis. [Display omitted] •By in situ loading of Ag2Se nanoparticles on the surface of g-C3N4 to boost the photogenerated charge separation.•The hydrogen evolution rate reached 1102.8 μmol·g−1·h−1, 7 times higher than g-C3N4.•DFT calculations indicate that the high photocatalytic performance is due to the close g-C3N4/Ag2Se interfacial contact.