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[Display omitted] • A ternary heterostructure (ZnPPO) is constructed for photocatalytic H 2 evolution. • ZnPPO presents an enhanced photocatalytic H 2 evolution rate of 31.037 mmol h-1g−1. • A binding structure of Ⅱ-type and Z-scheme has been constructed in ZnPPO. • The binding structure promotes the transfer of photogenerated charge carriers. A ternary heterostructure (ZnPPO) was constructed by loading ZnO and tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) zinc porphyrin (ZnTCPP) with P-doped g-C 3 N 4 (PCN). In contrast to binary heterostructures (PCN-ZnO, ZnTCPP-ZnO and ZnTCPP-PCN) and single components (PCN, ZnTCPP and ZnO), ZnPPO has superior photocatalytic activity for H 2 generation from water splitting. It is revealed that a binding structure of Ⅱ-type and Z-scheme has been constructed in ZnPPO, which plays a vital role in transferring photo-excited charge carriers. The significant enhancement of photocatalytic activity in ZnPPO is attributed to the effective transfer of photo-generated electrons and holes between the components of the ternary heterostructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • g-C 3 N 4 /Ni/CdS is constructed by insetting highly dispersed Ni atoms between g-C 3 N 4 and CdS. • The resultant g-C 3 N 4 /Ni/CdS displays a high H 2 evolution rate of 9.5 mmol/g/h. • Ni atoms dispersed on the surface of g-C 3 N 4 contribute to the intimate deposition of CdS. • Ni atoms facilitate the rapid transfer of charge carriers between g-C 3 N 4 and CdS. Highly efficient interface charge carrier transfer and separation is a primary factor in guaranteeing the performance of hetero photocatalysts. Here, we construct a high-performance g-C 3 N 4 /CdS heterostructure by insetting highly dispersed Ni atoms between g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets and CdS nanoparticles, and the obtained CNN/Ni 500 /CdS-2.4 displays the highest H 2 evolution rate of 9.5 mmol/g/h without the addition of extra co-catalyst, which is about 4.3 times to that of CNN/CdS heterostructure without Ni atom addition. It is found that the significantly enhanced H 2 evolution ability can be ascribed to the dual function of Ni atoms in linking hetero interfaces and facilitating charge transport. The introduced Ni atoms disperse uniformly on the surface of g-C 3 N 4 and thus contributing to the large area uniform and intimately deposition of CdS nanoparticles, which provides sufficient surface-active sites for the photocatalytic reaction. At the same time, due to the good the conductivity, the introduction of Ni atoms dramatically facilitates the rapid transfer of charge carriers between g-C 3 N 4 and CdS and thus accelerating the generation of hydrogen. This work demonstrates the great potential of trace amount of highly dispersed metals on improving the quality of heterojunctions and promoting the photocatalytic ability of heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]