3D nanorod-like Mn0.2Cd0.8S modified by amorphous NiCo2S4 was used for high efficiency photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract

The Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S/NiCo₂S₄ was prepared using an electrostatic self-assembly method. It was confirmed by analyses of the crystal structure, morphology, and elemental composition. The photoelectrochemical measurement confirmed that Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S and NiCo₂S₄ had a close interaction and can form a Schottky barrier. The construction of the Schottky junction speeded up the transport of the photogenerated electrons and inhibited the recombination of the photogenerated electrons and holes. Using Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S/NiCo₂S₄, the amount of hydrogen production was higher than with NiCo₂S₄ and Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S alone. Different amounts of NiCo₂S₄ were loaded onto Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S for the photocatalytic hydrogen production reaction. The hydrogen photocatalytic hydrogen production of Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S/NiCo₂S₄-3 was 28.97 times higher than of the Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S. The Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S/NiCo₂S₄ composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity and stability, which provided reference values for exploring bimetallic sulfide composite materials, and demonstrated great potential in photocatalytic applications.