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[Display omitted] • The AgBr/HCCN photocatalyst was fabricated using an electric self-assembly approach. • The hybrid photocatalyst features an all-solid-state direct Z-scheme heterojunction. • The Z-scheme heterojunction improves the photogenerated charge carriers' separation. • The contact level of the heterojunction affects the performance of the photocatalyst. • The AgBr/HCCN photocatalyst exhibits a 5.4-fold enhancement in hydrogen evolution. Constructing a Z-scheme heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution for graphitic carbon nitride-based (g-C 3 N 4) composites is challenging because integrating g-C 3 N 4 with other semiconductors, without specific band structure design, typically results in type I or type II heterojunctions. These heterojunctions have lower redox ability and limited enhancement in photocatalysis. Herein, we select highly crystalline carbon nitride (HCCN) as a proof-of-concept substrate. For the first time, we develop a AgBr nanosphere/HCCN composite photocatalyst that features an all-solid-state direct Z-scheme heterojunction for visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The electron transfer mechanism is initially studied from the band structures and Fermi levels of HCCN and AgBr. It is subsequently confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electron microscopy. The close heterojunction contact and the built-in electron field of the Z-scheme heterojunction promote the migration and separation of photogenerated electrons and holes in the composite photocatalyst. Due to the redistribution of charge carriers, the photocatalyst shows superior redox capability and a markedly enhanced hydrogen evolution performance compared to its individual components. Combining all the advantages, AgBr nanosphere/HCCN reached an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 6 % under the illumination of 410 nm, which is 4 times higher than that of the single HCCN component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A sufficient and tunable ohmic junction can be built in allochroic Pt/CN. • The ohmic contact is formed by the photoconversion of semiconducting CN to metalloid. • The reversible photoconversion of CN is accompanied with a color change. • The ohmic contact between Pt and CN significantly enhances the HER activity. • The deactivation and regeneration mechanisms of the allochroic Pt/CN are proposed. The direct hybridization of Pt and g-C 3 N 4 generally forms a Schottky barrier between the two components, which unavoidably hinders the migration of photogenerated electrons from g-C 3 N 4 to the Pt cocatalyst. Herein, we report the first efficient allochroic Pt/g-C 3 N 4 photocatalyst that can form an ohmic contact through photoconversion of semiconducting g-C 3 N 4 to metalloid, accompanied with the charge carrier storage and photocatalyst color change, which is proved experimentally and theoretically. Through intermittent exposure of Pt/g-C 3 N 4 photocatalyst to air for a few minutes during photocatalysis, the photocatalyst shows the highest hydrogen evolution performances. The ohmic contacts greatly promote the electron transfer from the semiconducting g-C 3 N 4 to the Pt cocatalyst driven by the built-in electric field. In addition, the mechanism for the photocatalyst deactivation and activation is presented. The compositional tuning of the allochroic g-C 3 N 4 through light irradiation and exposure to air can control over the photocatalytic activity and long-term stability for hydrogen evolution. This report for the first time unveils the deactivation and regeneration mechanisms of SCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]