Synergistic effect of bimetallic RuCo loaded N-defective g-C3N4 nanosheets with cleavage of metal-hydrogen bonds for H2 production in a continuous flow photoreactor

Photocatalytic hydrogen production using an efficient semiconductor is highly demanding to achieve sustainable development goals. Instead of using complex semiconductor materials, the photocatalysis process efficiency can be enhanced using a bimetallic system with a low-cost semiconductor. In this work, well-designed exfoliated N-defective g-C 3 N 4 (N–C 3 N 4 ) with the synergistic effects of Ru/Co bimetallic system to improve solar-driven H 2 evolution in a continuous photoreactor, has been investigated. Using an exfoliated N–C 3 N 4 , an H 2 yield of 1.26 folds more was produced than a bulk g-C 3 N 4 . Bimetallic Ru–Co/N–C 3 N 4 composite exhibited 4450 μmol g −1 h −1 of H 2 evolution rate, which is 2.82, 6.09 and 33.58 folds more than using Ru/N–C 3 N 4 , Co/N–C 3 N 4 and N–C 3 N 4 samples, respectively. The synergistic impact of Ru/Co, which enables the efficient separation and transfer of charge carriers under visible light in a continuous flow photoreactor system, is responsible for this noticeably enhanced H 2 production. The presence of Ru was able to provide metal-hydrogen bonds, whereas, Co was beneficial to maximize the stability of the composite. This novel strategy has promise for several solar energy applications and offers a viable option to build highly effective composites for renewable energy applications. • Ru-cocatalyst with Co/N–C 3 N 4 nanotextures synthesized and tested for water splitting. • Ru/Co cocatalyst with N–C 3 N 4 stimulated H 2 production during photocatalysis process. • Synergistic effect of Ru and Co with N–C 3 N 4 , 36-fold higher green hydrogen was produced. • The role of Ru was promising to break hydrogen bonds, and Co gave higher H 2 production. • Stability results confirm continuous H 2 production over ternary-composite in cyclic runs.