NiCo2S4 decorated g-C3N4 nanosheets for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Efficient hole-electron pair separation plays a crucial role in enhancing photocatalytic activity of g-C 3 N 4 , which usually requires a noble metal cocatalyst. Here we report metallic NiCo 2 S 4 nanoparticles as a cocatalyst and replacement of noble metals to improve the performance of g-C 3 N 4 for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. NiCo 2 S 4 nanoparticle-modified g-C 3 N 4 has been successfully synthesized. Experimental results indicate that the loading of NiCo 2 S 4 boosts the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of g-C 3 N 4 . The photocatalytic HER of the NiCo 2 S 4 /g-C 3 N 4 was investigated using triethanolamine as a sacrificial agent. The 5%-NiCo 2 S 4 /g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite displayed the optimal H 2 production rate of 244.7 μmol h −1 g −1 , which is about 153 times higher than that of pure g-C 3 N 4 . The intimate interface contact between NiCo 2 S 4 and g-C 3 N 4 favors charge separation and is likely responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activity. This work provides the evidence that NiCo 2 S 4 is a potential cocatalyst for boosting the HER activity of NiCo 2 S 4 /g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite.