Integrating Ni(OH)2 Nanoparticles on CdS for Efficient Noble-Metal-Free Photocatalytic H2 Evolution

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution using inexhaustible clean solar energy is considered as a promising strategy. In order to build an efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production system to satisfy the demands of practical applications, it is of great significance to design photocatalysts that offer high activity, low cost, and high stability. Herein, a series of cheap CdS/Ni(OH)2 composite photocatalysts were designed and synthesized using the hydrothermal method. The introduction of a Ni(OH)2 cocatalyst multiplied the reactive active site of cadmium sulfide and promoted the transfer of photoinduced electrons in a semiconductor. Therefore, CdS/Ni(OH)2 composites demonstrate significantly better photocatalytic performance, and the hydrogen production rate of an optimal CdS/5%Ni(OH)2 composite is 6.9 times higher than that of blank CdS. Furthermore, the stability test also showed that CdS/Ni(OH)2 had good stability. This study aims to serve as a rewarding reference for the development of high-performance composite photocatalysts.