Synthesis of a Cu2_ xSe/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalyst for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution

The Cu2_ xSe/g-C3N4 heterojunction was successfully constructed using a one-step method and employed to photocatalytic H2 evolution from water for the first time. The optimal Cu2_xSe/g-C3N4-10 wt% exhibits an efficient H2 evolution rate of 1954.9 mu mol.g_ 1.h_ 1, which is nearly 2.2 and 18.6 times higher than that of the pristine Cu2_xSe and g-C3N4. This could owe to the improved light capturing ability, abundant active sites, efficient charge carriers' separation for the appropriate band gap structures between Cu2_xSe and g-C3N4. In addition, a photocatalytic H2 production mechanism over Cu2_xSe/g-C3N4 heterojunction is analyzed based on the investigation on energy band structures and photoelectric properties of the components.