Facile fabrication of a flexible and shape-adaptive Cd0.5Zn0.5S-based photocatalytic system and its photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution from water

Abstract

The development of efficient photocatalysts that can be applied under any conditions and easily reused is important from a practical point of view. Considering this, herein, a flexible and shape-adaptive Cd_0.5Zn_0.5S-based photocatalytic system was fabricated using cellulose filter paper as the photocatalyst support. Subsequently, its photocatalytic behavior was systematically investigated for H₂ evolution. The results showed that this flexible photocatalytic system possesses satisfactory photocatalytic activity and mechanical stability, and it can be easily recycled. Under optimal conditions, a photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 170 mL m⁻² h⁻¹ was achieved under visible light. Moreover, the energy utilization of this system was independent of the incident light intensity. Intriguingly, this photocatalytic system possessed excellent shape adaptability. It could be easily attached to various carriers with a nonplanar geometry, with its photocatalytic activity remaining nearly constant. These results may be useful for the design of efficient photocatalysts that can be applied in a flowing system and easily recycled in the future.