A review of recent progress in solar fuel (Hydrogen) generation via photocatalytic water-splitting of cadmium sulfide (CdS) based photocatalyst

Abstract

Globally, energy demand and environmental pollution affect the development of society. However, solar fuel generation via photocatalytic water-splitting became the most viable approach to address the global energy crisis. Cadmium sulfide is considered an ideal material for solar fuel (hydrogen) generation due to its promising, low-cost, suitable bandgap energy, desired band alignment, affordability, and simple preparation method. However, the solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency of CdS-based materials still needs to improve due to the high rate of photogenerated electron-hole pair recombination and photocorrosion, resulting in poor photocatalytic performance. Herein, an emerging approach for enhancing the stability and photocatalytic activity of CdS is discussed, including designing heterostructure, co-catalyst loading, etc., with a focus on charge carrier separation and transfer. Particular attention is given to the mechanism of the emerging approach that influences photocatalytic water-splitting. This review focuses on designing and developing of strategy for enhancing anti-photocorrosion CdS-based materials for solar fuel generation. Notably, the solar H2 production improvements achieved in studying the CdS material as the main photocatalyst, not a co-catalyst, were exclusively reviewed and discussed. The prospective, challenges and development in preparation for anti-photo corrosion CdS are discussed. Thus, this review would likely motivate researchers to broaden the applications for CdS-based materials in solar fuel (hydrogen) generation in an economical and eco-friendly approach.