Beyond hydrogen production: Solar−driven H2S−donating value−added chemical production over MnxCd1−xS/CdyMn1−yS catalyst

Abstract

Simultaneous hydrogen (H2) evolution and value−added chemicals production are highly attractive but have not drawn enough attention. Here, we demonstrate a hydrogen sulphide (H2S)−induced product−targeting (HIPT) strategy for the coproduction of H2 and valuable chemical feedstocks from Na2S/Na2SO3 via overall H2S splitting using a MnxCd1−xS/CdyMn1−yS catalyst driven by visible light excitation. With this chemistry, 113 mmol g−1 h−1 of hydrogen evolution rate is achieved, surpassing most of the previously reported state-of-the-art photocatalyst, together with the production of value−added Na2S2O3 with nearly 100% selectivity. This work not only provides a good example for solar energy conversion via overall H2S splitting, but also offers new insights into the resource utilization of sacrificial donor (Na2S/Na2SO3) in various catalytic fields such as H2O splitting and CO2 reduction.