Issue 2, 2022

Porous direct Z-scheme heterostructures of S-deficient CoS/CdS hexagonal nanoplates for robust photocatalytic H2 generation

Abstract

Photocatalytic water-splitting with Z-scheme semiconductor heterojunctions is a promising way to achieve renewable solar fuels. Nevertheless, development of earth-abundant direct Z-scheme photocatalytic systems for efficient H2 production is still underdeveloped. In this work, porous heterostructures of S-deficient CoS/CdS hexagonal nanoplates (HNPs) were fabricated for the first time through a self-template approach combined with a solvothermal process. As indicated by scanning Kelvin probe microscopy and ˙OH radical measurements, such a CoS/CdS heterojunction follows the Z-scheme charge transfer pathway. Noticeably, these unique CoS/CdS HNPs demonstrated excellent photocatalytic activity and stability for the H2 evolution reaction (HER) under visible-light irradiation (λ >400 nm). Specifically, the optimal HER rate is as high as 39.29 mmol g−1 h−1 (corresponding to the apparent quantum yield of 14.5% at 400 nm), approximately 152, 112, and 51 times that of CoS, CdS, and 3 wt% Pt-loaded CdS, respectively. The exceptional HER capability of CoS/CdS HNPs could be associated with their outstanding visible-light harvesting capability, efficient Z-scheme charge separation, and abundant H2 evolution active sites. The findings indicated here could impel the rational design of high-performance Z-scheme photocatalysts for energy and environmental applications.

Graphical abstract: Porous direct Z-scheme heterostructures of S-deficient CoS/CdS hexagonal nanoplates for robust photocatalytic H2 generation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
27 okt 2021
Accepted
01 dec 2021
First published
01 dec 2021

CrystEngComm, 2022,24, 404-416

Porous direct Z-scheme heterostructures of S-deficient CoS/CdS hexagonal nanoplates for robust photocatalytic H2 generation

Z. Li, H. Chen, Y. Li, H. Wang, Y. Liu, X. Li, H. Lin, S. Li and L. Wang, CrystEngComm, 2022, 24, 404 DOI: 10.1039/D1CE01453F

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