A novel p–n Mn0.2Cd0.8S/NiWO4 heterojunction for highly efficient photocatalytic H2 production

Abstract

Constructing a p–n heterojunction has been regarded as an effective way to restrain charge recombination and boost photocatalytic H₂ production activity. Herein, a novel Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S/NiWO₄ composite was fabricated by a hydrothermal process and which exhibited enhanced H₂ production activity and excellent photostability. Particularly, the composite with 30 wt% of NiWO₄ achieved the optimal H₂ production rate of 17.76 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, which was 2.9 times higher than that of Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S. The increased H₂ production property was mainly due to the p–n heterojunction between Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S and NiWO₄, which provided an efficient path for charge transfer and inhibited the photocorrosion of Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S. This work can offer technical support for the design and development of p–n heterojunctions that can be applied for photocatalytic H₂ production.