Enhanced photocatalytic activity of amphiphilic single-walled carbon nanohorn–In0.2Cd0.8S composites for water splitting

Abstract

Amphiphilic SWCNH–In0.2Cd0.8S photocatalysts with various contents of amphiphilic SWCNHs have been prepared and characterized. The photocurrent density and H2 production rate of the 0.38 wt% amphiphilic SWCNH–In0.2Cd0.8S photoelectrode (0.38 mA cm−2 and 3.73 μmol h−1 cm−2, respectively) were 1.6 and 2.88 times higher, respectively, than those of the bare In0.2Cd0.8S photoelectrode. The improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution efficiency of the 0.38 wt% amphiphilic SWCNH–In0.2Cd0.8S photoelectrode is attributed to a synergetic effect of the intrinsic properties of its components, including excellent charge transfer and separation at the interface between the amphiphilic SWCNHs and the In0.2Cd0.8S photocatalyst.