Boosting Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by Ultrafast Charge Transfer in a ZnS-CdS Z-Scheme Heterojunction with an Intercalated Co9S8 Layer

Abstract

A rational interfacial structure design strategy constructs a Z-scheme photocatalyst by integrating a Co₉S₈ interlayer via cation exchange. This transforms a Type-I ZnS-CdS heterojunction to Z-scheme ZnS-Co₉S₈-CdS heterojunction, enabling ultrafast charge transfer (0.198 ps). The optimized catalyst achieves a high HER rate of 13,451 μmol•g^-1•h^-1 and retains 97.1% efficiency after 24 hours.