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-C₃N₄ (N–C₃N₄) with the synergistic effects of Ru/Co bimetallic system to improve solar-driven H₂ evolution in a continuous photoreactor, has been investigated. Using an exfoliated N–C₃N₄, an H₂ yield of 1.26 folds more was produced than a bulk g-C₃N₄. Bimetallic Ru–Co/N–C₃N₄ composite exhibited 4450 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ of H₂ evolution rate, which is 2.82, 6.09 and 33.58 folds more than using Ru/N–C₃N₄, Co/N–C₃N₄ and N–C₃N₄ 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 H₂ 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.