Enhanced Solar-Driven Photocatalysis with CuTCPP/g‑C₃N₄ for Hydrogen Production and Environmental Remediation

The utilization of solar energy as a pivotal and sustainable energy source is increasingly recognized for its exceptional natural properties. To effectively harness and convert solar energy, the development of advanced materials is imperative. Porphyrins, renowned for their role as light-harvesting antennas in nature, play a pivotal role in photosynthesis. In this study, a CuTCPP/g-C₃N₄ heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized through a combination of electrostatic self-assembly and in situ growth methods. The composite exhibited exceptional photostability and remarkable efficiency in the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB). Specifically, the 0.5% CuTCPP/g-C₃N₄ composite demonstrated an impressive degradation rate of 97.20% for MB under simulated sunlight, which is almost double that of g-C₃N₄. Additionally, the composite exhibited remarkable capabilities for photocatalytic hydrogen production, generating 350.00 μmol g^–1 of hydrogen in just 2 h, which is 8.33 times higher than that produced by g-C₃N₄. To further elucidate the exceptional performance of this composite, photoelectrochemical techniques were employed to confirm its charge transfer path and validate the effective electron–hole separation mechanism within the heterostructure. Overall, these investigations significantly enhanced the overall efficiency of the photocatalytic reaction. The findings of this study underscore the immense application potential of CuTCPP/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites in artificial photosynthesis, environmental pollution control, and clean energy conversion. Moreover, they reveal novel technical insights and potential to effectively address global energy and environmental challenges in the future.