Promoting photocatalytic hydrogen production by a core–shell CdS@MoOx photocatalyst connected by an S–Mo “bridge”

Abstract

A CdS@MoO_x core–shell nanorod photocatalyst has been constructed by a one-step in situ photodeposition method, which effectively utilizes the photoproduced-hole-induced dehydration and condensation of Mo–O–H derived from the hydrolyzed product of MoCl₅, to successfully deposit a layer of MoO_x on the surface of CdS NRs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy further confirmed that S–Mo bonds serve as bridges for carrier transport between the core and the shell, significantly reducing the interface impedance and improving the carrier transmission efficiency. Due to the superior interfacial carrier separation as well as the enhanced light absorption, the optimal CdS@MoO_x-0.9 nanocomposite exhibits a high hydrogen production performance (5.42 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹) under visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm). We have experimentally shed light on the mechanism of this excellent enhancement performance in detail. Moreover, our work can broaden the range of construction and application of developing other photocatalytic materials containing transition metal oxides.