In situ construction of NiSe/Mn0.5Cd0.5S composites for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light

MnxCd1-xS solid solution is an emerging semiconductor for photocatalytic water splitting with a tunable bandgap. However, it still leaves much room to improve the photocatalytic activity. Herein, we modified Mn0.5Cd0.5S with noble metal-free NiSe by an in-situ hydrothermal synthesis. The as-obtained NiSe/Mn0.5Cd0.5S nanocomposites exhibited highly efficient photocatalytic H2 production under visible light and the highest hydrogen generation rate reaches 28.08 mmol/h/g, which is higher than that of Mn0.5Cd0.5S (13.71 mmol/h/g) and 1 wt% Pt/Mn0.5Cd0.5S (24.22 mmol/h/g). Through the detailed analyses of UV–vis DRS, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) and photoelectrochemical tests, we found the well-matched structure between NiSe and Mn0.5Cd0.5S, which facilitates the charge transfer and prolongs the lifetime of photo-induced electrons, and thus improves photocatalytic activity.