One-pot synthesis of array-like sulfur-doped carbon nitride with covalently crosslinked ultrathin MoS2 cocatalyst for drastically enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract Constructing noble-metal-free loaded catalyst with high-efficiency photocatalytic activity by a simple and scalable method is of profound significance for fundamental research and practical application. Herein, a simple one-pot method was used to synthesize novel samples of array-like sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (SCN) nanosheets with ultrathin MoS2 loading (MS/SCN-x%). The ultrathin MoS2 cocatalyst was evenly distributed on the surface of SCN and was linked to the main catalyst by covalent chemical bonds. Benefited from the multiple advantages of the array-like porous nanosheets structure with rich exposed surface, covalent cross-linking structure, and enhanced visible light absorption, the MS/SCN-2.5% composites drastically improve hydrogen evolution performance, which is superior to original MoS2 nanosheet modified by two-step mixing method, and also rivals with Pt/SCN. The designing strategy of photocatalyst modified by noble-metal-free cocatalyst with covalent bond structure provides fascinating insights into enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.