Construction of Ni3S4@ZIS@C3N5 photocatalyst with type II and Z-type heterojunctions by self-assembly for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

A novel ternary photocatalyst Ni3S4@ZIS@C3N5 with type II and Z-type heterojunctions was synthesized for the first time by hydrothermal and electrostatic self-assembly methods, effectively avoiding the thermal decomposition of C3N5 during the synthesis of the complex. The best ternary catalyst Ni3S4@ZIS@C3N5 is capable of achieving an optimal hydrogen evolution rate of 9750 mmol g−1 h−1, which is approximately 10.89 times as high as that of C3N5, indicating that the complex effectively enhanced the photocatalytic properties of the monomer. The coexistence of two types of heterojunctions in the complex effectively enhances photocatalytic performance, in which the monomer ZIS constructs type II scheme with Ni3S4 and Z-type scheme with C3N5, respectively. The two heterojunctions complement each other and jointly promote the rapid electron transfer from Ni3S4 and C3N5 to the ZIS surface. In conclusion, the cooperation of the two heterojunctions efficiently facilitates the migration of photogenerated carriers, thus enhancing the photocatalytic hydrogen generation performance of Ni3S4@ZIS@C3N5. •The ternary composite photocatalyst Ni3S4@ZIS@C3N5 was successfully synthesized for the first time.•The thermal decomposition of C3N5 was effectively avoided by electrostatic self-assembly.•The cooperation of type II and Z-type heterojunction enhanced the photocatalytic hydrogen production performance.