Ternary g-C3N4/NiOOH/Ag nanocomposite photocatalyst with efficient charges separation and high activity for H2 production

A ternary g-C3N4/NiOOH/Ag nanocomposite photocatalyst was synthesized using a combination of chemical and photoreduction methods. Physical, chemical and optical properties of the obtained material were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Vis diffuse reflection (DRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies (XPS). The photoactivity of g-C3N4/NiOOH/Ag nanocomposite was evaluated for the H2 production from a water/methanol solution under irradiation with a low intensity UV–Vis lamp. The results showed that photoactivity obtained with the nanocomposite, measured as H2 yield, was superior than those obtained using bare g-C3N4, g-C3N4-Ag and g-C3N4-Ni as photocatalysts. This increase could be due to the effect of a lower electron-hole recombination rate, derived of an efficient charges separation, and to the synergistic effect between the compounds which integrate the material.