Z-scheme ZnCdS/NiCo-LDH photocatalyst followed dual-channel charge transfer via Au-intercalation for renewable hydrogen production

Exploration of effective and renewable photocatalysts is essential for solar to hydrogen conversion technologies. However, the application of some photocatalysts with great potential, such as ZnCdS, are seriously limited by the sluggish charge transfer/separation and unavoidable light corrosion. In this work, Au/ZnCdS/NiCo-LDH ternary heterojunction was constructed by introducing Au nanoparticle mediator in core-shell ZnCdS/NiCo-LDH, which exhibits an enhanced H2 production rate of 4.89 mmol·g-1·h-1 under visible light irradiation and unexpected recyclability with 6.2% rate reduction after 15 consecutive cycles. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to the dual pathways (Z-scheme and localized surface plasmon resonance) enabled in Au/ZnCdS/NiCo-LDH, which improves the separation of photo-generated carriers, accelerates the electron transport, and provides active sites for photocatalytic oxidation. This work provides a promising technology to jointly improve photocatalytic activity and stability by modulating the interfacial carrier dynamics of photocatalysts.