Augmented photocatalytic water splitting performance of CdS nanorods encased with Co-C@WS2 nanostructures

Abstract

Hydrogen production via photocatalytic water-splitting process is a favourable and eco-friendly technique which addresses the energy-environmental issues. However, the development of affordable, highly efficient as well as stable photocatalysts continues to be a challenging task. Here, we propose a photocatalyst based on CdS nanorods that are coupled with WS2 nanosheets and metal-organic framework (MOF) derived Co-C nanostructures to promote photo-assisted H2 evolution in the aqueous medium. The experimental outcomes demonstrate that the fabricated nanocomposite is highly active to produce H2 at a rate of 214.96 mmol. g−1. h−1, indicating highest values among CdS-based photocatalysts. Additionally, the nanocomposite displayed an excellent long-term stability for 40 h. Overall, the present work introduces a photocatalytic system devoid of noble-metals, illustrating the functionalities of MOF-derived materials along with 2D transition metal dichalcogenides for accelerating the H2 evolution rate of semiconductor photocatalysts.