Enhancement in the photocatalytic H₂ production activity of CdS NRs by Ag₂S and NiS dual cocatalysts

Bowen HE, Chuanbiao BIE, Xingang FEI, Bei CHENG, Jiaguo YU, Wing Kei HO, Ahmed A. AL-GHAMDI, S. WAGEH

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlespeer-review

247 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cocatalysts play an indispensable role in photocatalytic H₂ production via water splitting for the conversion of solar energy into storable chemical energy. Herein, the hybrid catalyst CdS/Ag₂S/NiS is synthesized via hydrothermal and photodeposition methods. CdS/Ag₂S/NiS shows a drastically elevated hydrogen production rate of 48.3 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ under visible light due to the combined merits of the Schottky junction between CdS and metal-like Ag₂S and the constructed p–n junction between CdS and NiS. Time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy and photochemical tests reveal the accelerated charge transfer and significantly reduced electron–hole pair recombination. Further investigation with in-situ surface photovoltage imaging technology demonstrates that the reduction cocatalyst Ag₂S and oxidation cocatalyst NiS can serve as photogenerated electron and hole traps, respectively. This research not only provides insight into designing high-efficiency photocatalyst for hydrogen production but also utilize a brand new method for the confirmation of charge–carrier migration pathways. Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish
Article number119994
JournalApplied Catalysis B: Environmental
Volume288
Early online date14 Feb 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 05 Jul 2021

Citation

He, B., Bie, C., Fei, X., Cheng, B., Yu, J., Ho, W., . . . Wageh, S. (2021). Enhancement in the photocatalytic H₂ production activity of CdS NRs by Ag₂S and NiS dual cocatalysts. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 288. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.119994

Keywords

  • Dual cocatalysts
  • Photocatalytic hydrogen production
  • Work function
  • Kelvin probe force microscopy

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