Rational construction of graphdiyne (g-CnH2n−2) coupling with Co-Co PBA S-scheme heterojunctions for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production

One of the most promising technologies for meeting the energy challenge and protecting the climate is photocatalytic cracking for the production of hydrogen. GDY nanosheets were prepared by ball milling in this study, and a new Co-Co PBA/GDY composite photocatalysts was prepared by room temperature solid state synthesis. X-ray diffraction, FT-IR and Ranman spectroscopy confirmed the successful preparation of GDY nanosheets, and photoluminescence spectroscopy and related electrochemical characterisation further investigated the possibility of Co-Co PBA nanocubes for photocatalytic hydrogen production, which were integrated with GDY nanosheets to form stable S-scheme heterojunctions, resulting in a Co-Co PBA/GDY composite photocatalysts with excellent hydrogen precipitation activity and photostability. The maximum photocatalytic hydrogen production of 50% Co-Co PBA/GDY composite photocatalysts was 96.93 μmol, 3.71 times that of pure GDY nanosheets and 7.72 times that of pure Co-Co PBA nanocubes, with an AQE of 1.94% at 470 nm. The incorporation of Co-Co PBA nanocubes accelerates light-induced electron migration and provides sufficient active sites for photocatalytic hydrogen production. This work broadens the GDY-based photocatalytic system and develops potential S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts.