An amorphous CoSx modified Mn0.5Cd0.5S solid solution with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H2-production activity

Abstract

It is of significant importance to develop cheap and efficient co-catalysts for photocatalytic H₂ production. Herein, a series of highly efficient and noble metal-free CoS_x modified Mn_0.5Cd_0.5S nanocomposites are successfully synthesized via a simple direct precipitation process. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared photocatalysts for H₂ production from water splitting under visible-light irradiation is investigated. It can be found that the rate of H₂ evolution over CoS_x/Mn_0.5Cd_0.5S is 2.4 times higher than that of pure Mn_0.5Cd_0.5S, which is comparable to Mn_0.5Cd_0.5S modified with 1 wt% platinum (Pt) co-catalyst. The products are systematically characterized by XRD, UV-vis DRS, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, XPS, PL and so on. According to the above experimental results, it can be concluded that the amorphous CoS_x nanoparticles function as active sites and excellent electron transfer mediators for the catalytic reaction.