Thin-layer g-C₃N₄ nanosheet decoration with MoS₂ nanoparticles as a highly efficient photocatalyst in the H₂ production reaction

g-C₃N₄ (graphitic carbon nitride) is an interesting photocatalyst that has found application in many fields especially in photocatalysis. It can be synthesized by various methods, and cocatalysts can be incorporated in its structure to construct a composite suitable for the desired application. We report synthesis of thin-layer g-C₃N₄ nanosheet decoration with MoS₂ nanoparticles for the preparation of 2D-2D MoS₂/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite that was successfully used in evolution of H₂ from the reaction of water splitting. Various percentages of MoS₂ decorations were produced, and the 1.5% MoS₂ composition proved to be the best photocatalyst producing 10,000 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ rates of H₂ evolution. The high photocatalytic activity of 2D-2D MoS₂/g-C₃N₄ is attributed to many factors that include high surface area, the 2D-2D interfaces characterized by “surface contact” active sites for absorption of light, the powerful charge separation resulting from the favorable potential values of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets, and the use of the efficient hole-scavenger glycerol. This study shows that changes in synthesis route and careful selection of glycerol as a scavenging material can result in superior photocatalytic efficiency of the material.