MoS2/CdS rod-like nanocomposites as high-performance visible light photocatalyst for water splitting photocatalytic hydrogen production

This study demonstrates a high-performance visible-light-driven photocatalyst for water splitting H2 production. CdS nanorods (30 nm in diameters) with shorter radial transfer paths and fewer defects were prepared by a solvothermal method. To mitigate the recombination of electrons and holes, MoS2 nanosheets with rich active sites were modified on the surface of CdS nanorods by a room-temperature sonication treatment. The photocatalytic water splitting tests show that the MoS2/CdS nanocomposites exhibit excellent H2 evolution rates. The highest H2 evolution rates (63.71 and 71.24 mmol g−1h−1 in visible light and simulated solar light irradiation) was found at the 6% MoS2/CdS nanocomposites, which was 14.61 times and 13.39 times higher than those of the corresponding pristine CdS nanorods in visible light and simulate solar light irradiation, respectively. The apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of the 6% MoS2/CdS nanocomposites at 420 nm was calculated to be 33.62%. The electrochemistry tests reveal that the enhanced photocatalytic activity is a result of extra photogenerated charge carries, greatly enhanced charge separation and transfer ability of the MoS2/CdS composites. This study may give new insights for the rational design and facile synthesis of high-performance and cost-effective bimetallic sulfide photocatalysts for solar-hydrogen energy conversion.