The effect of co-modification of ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets with Ag and S on photocatalytic hydrogen production

The technology of photocatalytic water splitting holds immense potential for hydrogen (H2) generation. However, its development is hindered by a lack of active sites and low efficiency of photogenerated carriers. In this study, Ag-S-CN ultrathin nanosheets were successfully fabricated by co-modification of graphitic carbon nitride (CN) with silver (Ag) and sulfur (S). S doping within the CN layers broadened light absorption and provided additional reaction sites, while the incorporation of Ag into the CN interlayers enhanced the migration rate of photogenerated carriers between adjacent layers via Ag-S bonds. Consequently, the 0.05 Ag-S-CN photocatalyst achieved a high H2 yield of 0.93 mmol g- 1 h- 1 without requiring any additional cocatalyst, which is approximately 23.25 and 10.33 times higher than that of CN and S-CN, respectively. This work presents an effective strategy for developing highly efficient photocatalysts.