Hollow Cd0.9In0.1Se/Cu2MoS4 nanocube S-scheme heterojunction towards high photocatalytic hydrogen production

The solar-driven hydrogen production from water splitting using the composite photocatalyst is a potentially efficient strategy to achieve a stable supply of renewable hydrogen energy. Herein, hollow Cd0.9In0.1Se/Cu2MoS4 nanocubes were prepared through hydrothermal and thermal deposition methods. And the optimized Cd0.9In0.1Se/Cu2MoS4 photocatalyst displayed a high hydrogen production rate of 6358.42 μmol g−1 h−1 and great long-term recyclability. The hollow structure of Cu2MoS4 efficiently improved the utilization ratio of visible light. When Cd0.9In0.1Se nanoparticles was modified on the surface of hollow Cu2MoS4 nanocubes, the S-scheme heterojunction was formed and the built-in electric field at the interface was produced. It effectively facilitated the charge separation and transfer and reduced the recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes, thus enhancing the photocatalytic hydrogen production activity. This work provides a new insight for improving photocatalytic hydrogen production performance from the point of view of the hollow structure composite photocatalyst.