Enhancement in the photocatalytic H2 production activity of CdS NRs by Ag2S and NiS dual cocatalysts

Cocatalysts play an indispensable role in photocatalytic H2 production via water splitting for the conversion of solar energy into storable chemical energy. Herein, the hybrid catalyst CdS/Ag2S/NiS is synthesized via hydrothermal and photodeposition methods. CdS/Ag2S/NiS shows a drastically elevated hydrogen production rate of 48.3 mmol g−1 h−1 under visible light due to the combined merits of the Schottky junction between CdS and metal-like Ag2S and the constructed p–n junction between CdS and NiS. Time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy and photochemical tests reveal the accelerated charge transfer and significantly reduced electron–hole pair recombination. Further investigation with in-situ surface photovoltage imaging technology demonstrates that the reduction cocatalyst Ag2S and oxidation cocatalyst NiS can serve as photogenerated electron and hole traps, respectively. This research not only provides insight into designing high-efficiency photocatalyst for hydrogen production but also utilize a brand new method for the confirmation of charge–carrier migration pathways.