Synthesis of Cu2S/K4Nb6O17 composite and its photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production

• Cu2S was deposited on the surface of K4Nb6O17 via a polyol method.
• The deposition of Cu2S greatly enhances the visible light absorption for K4Nb6O17
• The composite photo-catalysts exhibited improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Cu2S-loaded K4Nb6O17 photocatalysts (designated Cu2S/K4Nb6O17) were prepared via a polyol method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), N2 sorption, and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–Vis DRS). The Cu2S particles were well-dispersed on the surface of K4Nb6O17 and possessed a uniform size distribution around 10 nm. Cu2S (20 wt.%)/K4Nb6O17 possessed the highest photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution, producing 2.45 mmol g− 1 h− 1 under visible light irradiation. The mechanism of separation of the photogenerated electrons and holes was discussed.

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