Boosting hydrogen evolution under simulated sunlight via constructing close electron transfer interface between 1D CdxZn1-xS nanorod and 2D MoS2@MoOy nanosheet

Designing an efficient non-noble metal photocatalyst, which utilizes solar energy, has great potential to produce clean energy hydrogen. The microstructural refinement of 1D Cd0.2Zn0.8S nanorod was induced by doping with 2D MoS2@MoOy layer during microwave hydrothermal treatment. The maximum H2 production rate of the composite prepared at optimum conditions was 186 mmol g-1 h-1, which increased by 34.8% compared with that of Cd0.2Zn0.8S (138 mmol g-1 h-1). The apparent quantum yields of the optimized composite were 10.3% and 15.6% at 365 and 420 nm, respectively. The tight S-scheme heterojunction contributed to the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs effectively, as confirmed by the characterization analysis of & BULL;OH and & BULL;O-2 radicals, surface potential under illumination and darkness and in situ XPS spectra. Moreover, the active species of sulfur coordinated-Mo5 thorn as low-coordinate center promoted the dissociation of water and decreased the over potential of H2 production. Furthermore, the optimal composite showed excellent stable catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution, and the H2 production rate was 176.7 mmol g-1 h-1 after five cycles (95% of the first cycle). Overall, this work provides a promising strategy for improving the effectiveness of H2 production by preparing non & COPY; 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.