Facile fabrication of CdSe/CuInS2 microflowers with efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production activity

Abstract

Photocatalytic water splitting to produce hydrogen has attracted extensive attention and exhibited broad development prospects. In this work, CuInS 2 microflowers were fabricated through the solvothermal method, and decorated with CdSe quantum dots on the surface. As-prepared CdSe/CuInS 2 microflowers exhibited high photocatalytic hydrogen production activity (10610.37 μmol g −1 h −1 ) and high AQE of 48.97% at 420 nm. The enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production activity owing to the construction of p-n heterostructure improved light absorption ability, increased electrons transfer efficiency and reduced recombination of photo-induced electrons and holes. Moreover, high stability and cyclic utilization of CdSe/CuInS 2 microflowers were beneficial to photocatalytic hydrogen production application. • CuInS 2 microflowers were synthesized and modified with CdSe QDs on the surface. • CdSe/CuInS 2 exhibited high photocatalytic H 2 production activity and high AQE. • The construction of p-n heterostructure efficiently enhanced photocatalytic performance.