Effects of sacrificial reagents on photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over different photocatalysts

The effect of sacrificial reagents (SRs) on photocatalytic H 2 evolution rate over different photocatalysts was systematically studied. Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ), and TiO 2 were chosen as typical photocatalysts, while alcohols, amines, carboxylic acids, and inorganic Na 2 S/Na 2 SO 3 were chosen as SRs. The results indicate that Na 2 S/Na 2 SO 3 , methanol, and triethanolamine are the most suitable SRs for Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S, TiO 2 , and g-C 3 N 4 , respectively. It was found that in selecting organic SRs, both the permittivity and oxidation potential have profound effects on the H 2 production efficiency, which will provide basis for choosing appropriate SRs for different photocatalysts.