Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen generation is a significant pathway for sustainable energy conversion and production. The photocatalysts with a Z-scheme water splitting charge transfer pathway is superior due to the good separation and migration ability of photoexcited charge carriers. Herein, Co₃O₄/g-C₃N₄ photocatalysts with Z-scheme charge transfer pathway were successfully constructed by an electrostatic interaction-annealing method. The as-prepared Co₃O₄/g-C₃N₄ ultra-thin nanosheets were tested and analyzed by XRD, EA, ICP, SEM, TEM, AFM, XPS, UV-Vis DRS, PL and photoelectrochemical measurements. Moreover, the influences of fabrication parameters on performance of Co₃O₄/g-C₃N₄ catalysts were investigated, and 0.5% Co₃O₄/g-C₃N₄ exhibited the optimal activity. Based on the characterization and catalytic performance, the Z-scheme charge transfer pathway of Co₃O₄/g-C₃N₄ was established and put forward. To further improve the catalytic performance of Co₃O₄/g-C₃N₄, 0.5% Pt was added as a co-catalyst. The obtained Pt/0.5% Co₃O₄/g-C₃N₄ was recyclable and remained the original catalytic water splitting performance within 20 h. The modification of Co₃O₄ and Pt improved the separation and migration of e^- and h⁺, and induced the increased hydrogen evolution rate of g-C₃N₄.

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