MoSx/CdS nano-heterostructures accurately constructed on the defects of CdS for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution under visible light irradiation

Abstract Exploration of low-cost and earth-abundant photocatalysts for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution from water is an attractive solution to the global energy and environmental problems. Although MoS2 has been proved as an efficient co-catalyst for the H2 evolution reaction (HER), controllably and accurately constructing MoS2-hybridized photocatalysts at where the electrons extracted still remains a challenge. Here, a facile two-step approach of photoetching-photodeposition has been developed to prepare MoSx/etched-CdS (Mo-Cd(e)-S) with heterostructure accurately constructed on the CdS surface defects. This structure can significantly accelerate photo-induced charge separation and transportation owing to the place of heterostructure construction matching well with that of electrons extracted, numerous active sites introduced, and shorter charge transfer path from bulk to surface. Therefore the charge recombination is significantly retarded. As a result, the Mo-Cd(e)-S exhibits outstanding photocatalytic performance with a state-of-the-art H2 generation rate of 22.5 mmol g−1 h−1 under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm) which is 70 times higher than that of pristine CdS. This work opens a new avenue for the low-cost but high efficient photocatalysts development.