Optimal synthesis of platinum-free 1D/2D CdS/MoS2 (CM) heterojunctions with improved photocatalytic hydrogen production performance

CdS nanophotocatalysts generally require precious metal Pt as a cocatalyst to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen production performance, but precious metal Pt reserves are scarce and expensive. Therefore, this study hopes to prepare CdS/MoS2 (CM) composites by uniformly distributing MoS2 nanosheets on the surface of CdS nanowires by a two-step method. After a series of tests, CM composite can expand the absorption range of visible light and improve the separation and transmittance of photogenerated electrons and holes. The results show the highest hydrogen production rate of 1.79 mmol•g−1•h−1 was obtained with the CdS/MoS2 ratio of 0.3, which is 35.8 times that of bare CdS nanowires. The excessive MoS2 nanosheets will block light adsorption of CdS and inhibit the hydrogen production performance of the CM composite. This study provides a new research direction for finding cheap cocatalysts to replace precious metal Pt.