Highly dispersed copper cobalt oxide nanoclusters decorated carbon nitride with efficient heterogeneous interfaces for enhanced H₂ evolution

Photocatalytic reaction refers to a sophisticated heterogeneous catalyzing process. Exploring the interfacial reaction of catalysts will provide insights into efficient artificial photosynthetic system and promote its design. In this study, highly dispersed bimetallic CuCo₂O₄ nanoclusters decorated g-C₃N₄ heterojunction photocatalyst was produced by in-situ deposition of 0D CuCo₂O₄ spinel on the 2D g-C₃N₄ surface. Compared with CuO or Co₃O₄ modified g-C₃N₄, the optimal composite exhibits a significantly higher H₂ evolution rate of 4187.6 μmol∙g_cat^-1∙h^-1 with an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 4.57% under the irradiation of monochromatic light (400 ± 7.5 nm) in the absence of noble metal. As suggested from the results of the photoelectrochemistry characterizations and NH₃-temperature programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD) analysis, CuCo₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ exhibited faster HER kinetics and considerable surface acidity sites, and it facilitated triethanolamine (TEOA) chemisorption and H₂ evolution, further highlighting the merits of such mixed-metal compounds. Moreover, the transfer pathway of charge carriers between CuCo₂O₄ and g-C₃N₄ heterogeneous interface was demonstrated by photo-degradation of RhB and selective photo-deposition Pt nanoparticles.