A facile one pot synthetic approach for C3N4–ZnS composite interfaces as heterojunctions for sunlight-induced multifunctional photocatalytic applications

Abstract

Herein, we report a facile one pot synthetic protocol for the creation of C₃N₄–ZnS composite interfaces by the co-pyrolysis of a precursor mix containing zinc nitrate, melamine, and thiourea at 550 °C in air. The organic–inorganic semiconductor heterojunctions thus formed displayed increased absorbance in the longer wavelength region and facilitated broad absorption of visible light compared to pure ZnS, C₃N₄ and conventionally synthesized hybrid samples. The decreased emission intensity, increased photocurrent generation and decreased fluorescence lifetime revealed reduced exciton recombinations in the co-pyrolysed sample containing C₃N₄–ZnS heterostructures. The samples displayed sunlight driven photocatalytic reduction of nitrophenol as well as hydrogen generation (4 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹) by water splitting.