α-NiS/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution and Degradation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride

α-NiS/g-C3N4nanocomposites were synthesized and used for photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) degradation. The fabricated nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, UV-vis DRS, TRPL, and PEC measurements. Photocatalytic studies show that the hydrogen generation rate of the 15%-α-NiS/g-C3N4nanocomposite reaches 4025 μmol·g−1·h−1and TC degradation rate 64.6% within 120 min, both of which are higher than that of g-C3N4. The enhanced performance of the nanocomposite is attributed to the formation of a heterojunction between α-NiS and g-C3N4that enhances visible light absorption, promotes the separation and transfer of charges, and inhibits the recombination of carriers. The photocatalytic mechanism of the α-NiS/g-C3N4heterojunction nanocomposite is discussed in terms of relevant energy levels and charge transfer processes.Keywords:photocatalysis;g-C3N4;surface modification;photodegradation;hydrogen evolution