S-scheme graphitic carbon nitride/nickel titanate (g-C3N4/NiTiO3) heterojunction as bifunctional photocatalysts for hydrogen production and pollutants degradation

Abstract

Step-scheme heterojunction in photocatalysis can effectually separate the photogenerated electrons and holes, which can act as bifunctional catalysts for reduction and oxidation reaction. Herein, a new S-scheme graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄)/nickel titanate (NiTiO₃) heterostructure was prepared and exhibited an excellent hydrogen production rate of 800.93 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and the photodegradation rates of TC was 91.1%. In situ irradiated X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra and density functional theory (DFT) calculations have verified the effective separation of photogenerated carriers and holes to result in the bifunctional catalytic effect. In this work, g-C₃N₄/NiTiO₃ heterojunction offers a general way for practical application potential in photochemical green energy production and environmental purification.