A novel hierarchical S-scheme heterojunction of 0D/3D Zn0.5Cd0.5S nanoparticles/hollow micro-flower MoS2 for improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Heterojunctions with specialized surface morphologic structures could remarkably promote the photocatalytic efficiency of catalysts on account of the suitable component contents. In this study, a novel 3D MoS2 structure of hollow micro-flower is fabricated via the template method, on which 0D Zn0.5Cd0.5S (ZnCdS) nanoparticles are in-situ grown, forming a unique MoS2/Zn0.5Cd0.5S (M/ZCS) hierarchical structure. Using 10 vol% lactic acids as the sacrificial agent, the uppermost hydrogen evolution efficiency of 10% M/ZCS is 33.8 mmol‧g−1‧h−1, which is around 16 times and 786 times higher than that of single ZnCdS (2.1 mmol‧g−1‧h−1) and MoS2 (0.043 mmol‧g−1‧h−1). Furthermore, the apparent improvement in photocatalytic performance is mainly ascribed to the construction of the M/ZCS hierarchical structure, which resultful inhibits the agglomeration of ZnCdS nanoparticles, increases the availability of visible light, and shortens the transfer distance of carriers. Meanwhile, the S-Scheme heterojunction formed between ZnCdS and MoS2 significantly promotes the transfer and separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. This paper provides a novel strategy for the further synthesis of high-performance photocatalysts with hollow architecture and significant heterojunction for hydrogen evolution.