Molybdenum sulfide cocatalyst activation upon photodeposition of cobalt for improved photocatalytic hydrogen production activity of ZnCdS

•Co-doped MoSx is supported on ZnCdS via a one-step photochemical reduction method.•The Co-MoSx can efficiently catalyze H2 evolution reaction under visible light.•An AQE of 21.7% for H2 evolution was obtained on the optimized ZnCdS/Co-MoSx at 420 nm.•The catalytic H2 evolution activity of Co-MoSx was higher than noble metal (Pt、Au、Ag).