Enhanced photocatalytic H2 production on cadmium sulfide photocatalysts using nickel nitride as a novel cocatalyst

Abstract

Photocatalytic hydrogen production using solar energy offers a clean and sustainable pathway for future energy supply. Herein, we report nickel nitride (Ni₃N) as a novel cocatalyst on cadmium sulfide nanorod (CdS NR) semiconductors to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen production in water. The Ni₃N cocatalyst was grown by a facile in situ growth method. Under optimal conditions, the hydrogen production rate can be improved more than 10 times by introducing an appropriate amount of Ni₃N on CdS NRs. PL spectra and photoelectrochemical measurements suggest that faster interfacial charge transfer between Ni₃N and CdS may be the key factor for the enhanced photocatalytic activity.