Synergistic effects of Tin sulfide Nitrogen-doped titania Nanobelt-Modified graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets with outstanding photocatalytic activity.

Designing efficient ternary nanostructures is a feasible approach for energy production under simulated solar irradiation. In this study, excellent photoexcited charge carrier separation and enhanced visible-light response were achieved with nitrogen-doped titania nanobelts (N-TNBs), whose 1D geometry facilitated the fabrication of a heterostructure with SnS on the surface of graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN). We established the design of SnS@N-TNB and SnS@N-TNB/g-CN heterostructures by in situ hydrothermal and ultrasonication processes, and achieved commendable simulated solar light driven photocatalytic H generation. UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy analysis revealed a red shift in the absorption spectra of the SnS@N-TNB and SnS@N-TNB/g-CN samples. The H produced via SnS@N-TNB-10/g-CN (6730.8 µmol/g/h) was 2.6 times higher than that produced by SnS@N-TNB (2515.1 µmol/g/h), and 299 times higher than that produced by N-TNB (22.5 µmol/g/h). The improved photocatalytic H production was attributed to the maximum interface contact between SnS@N-TNB and g-CN, and to the improved visible-light absorption and effective charge-carrier separation. Therefore, the present study provides novel insights for combining the advantages of ternary materials to improve the conversion of solar energy to H fuel.