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Herein,we have reported the simultaneous water splitting and lignin (biomass) degradationbyC, N and Sdoped ZnO nanostructured material.Synthesis of C, N and S-doped ZnO was achieved viacalcination of Bis-thiourea zinc acetate (BTZA) complex. Calcination of the complex at 500 o C results in formation of 10 C, N, and S-doping in mixed phase of ZnO/ZnS, while calcination at 600 o Cgives the single phase of ZnO with N and S doping which is confirmed by XRD, XPS and Raman spectroscopy. The band gap of the calcinedsamples was observed to be in the range of 2.83-3.08 eV.Simultaneous lignin (waste of paper and pulp mills) degradation and hydrogen(H 2 ) production via water splitting under solar light has been investigated which is hitherto unattempted. The utmost degradation of lignin was observed with the 15 sample calcined at 500 o Ci.e. C, N, S-doped ZnO/ZnS as compared to sample calcined at 600 o Ci.e. N and S doped ZnO. The degradation of lignin confer the formation of useful fine chemical as a by-product i.e. 1-Phenyl-3-buten-1-ol. However, excellent H 2 production i.e. 580, 584 and 643 µmole h -1 per 0.1g, was obtained for the sample calcined at 500, 550 and 600 o C, respectively. The photocatalytic activity obtained is much higher as compared to earlier reported visible light active oxide and sulfidephotocatalysts. The 20 reusability study shows good stability of the photocatalyst. The prima facie observations show that lignin degradation and water splitting is possible with the same multifunctional photocatalystwithout any scarifying agent.

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Nano ZnCo2O4 spinels were synthesized at varying zinc and cobalt ratios such as 1 : 1, 1 : 1.5, 1 : 2, 1 : 2.5 and 1 : 3.