Synergistic hydrogen generation through a 2D-2D NiCuInS2:In2S3g-C3N4 dual S-scheme heterojunction nanosheets

In this study, we report on the synthesis and characterization of 2D-2D nanosheets of NiCuInS2: In2S3/g-C3N4 (NCIS/CN) as a highly efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen production. Under visible light irradiation, the NCIS/ CN heterojunction exhibited a remarkable hydrogen production rate of 2.5 mmol/h/g, which is 133-fold higher than the pristine CN and NCIS. This exceptional performance was attributed to the synergetic effects of Ni-Cu-In trimetallic active sites for hydrogen adsorption-desorption and dual S-scheme heterojunction, which facilitated charge separation and transfer. The heterojunction was characterized by various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, which revealed the presence of staggered band alignment and a double internal electric field. These results demonstrate the potential of 2D-2D heterojunctions for the development of highly efficient photocatalysts for renewable energy production and pave the way for the design of new and innovative heterojunctions for various photocatalytic applications.