Cu/S Co-anchoring junction boosted the photogenerated carrier separation efficiency in g-C3N5 for enhanced H2 evolution

C 3 N 5 is emerging as an important visible light catalyst because of its narrow band gap, nontoxicity and thermal stability. Herein, sulfur-doped g-C 3 N 5 (SCN) was prepared by copolymerization of thioacetamide (TAA) and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT). Then copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) were anchored onto the SCN framework, resulting in the formation of Cu/SCN. It was found that the average H 2 production rate of SCN and Cu/SCN was 0.76 and 1.34 mmol g −1  h −1 , which was much higher than that of C 3 N 5 , respectively. Acting as a new active spots, sulfur doping effectively reduces the band gap of g-C 3 N 5 , and the formation of S-Cu bonds further creates an efficient electron transport pathway. As a result, Cu/SCN possesses a broader visible light absorption spectrum, stronger reduction capability, and greater efficiency in photo-induced carrier separation and transfer. Therefore, this work introduces a novel strategy for design of high efficiency photocatalytic H 2 evolution carbon nitride through non-noble metal and sulfur anchoring junction.