High-temperature sulfurized synthesis of MnxCd1-xS composites for enhancing solar-light driven H2 evolution

Abstract

In recent years, tremendous efforts have been devoted to develop new photocatalyst with wide spectrum response for H 2 generation from water or aqueous solution. In this paper, Mn x Cd 1-x S composites were in-situ fabricated via the high-temperature sulfurization to enhance the solar-light photocatalytic capacity of H 2 evolution. Benefiting from the S defects and junction interface between MnS and CdS, Mn x Cd 1-x S composites exhibited the better H 2 evolution rate than pure MnS. The H 2 evolution rate of optimal Mn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S with a Mn(II) content of 22.52% and a Mn/Cd mole ratio of 0.95:1 was 9.27 mmol g −1 h −1 , which was 35.65 and 2.38 times higher than pure MnS (0.26 mmol g −1 h −1 ) and CdS (3.89 mmol g −1 h −1 ), respectively. In addition, H 2 evolution capacity of Mn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S decreased from 44.83 to 41.66 mmol g −1 after three cycles. Mn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S prepared via the high-temperature sulfurization was thus a potential material for solar-light induced H 2 generation. • Mn x Cd 1-x S composites were prepared via High-temperature sulfurized route. • Mn x Cd 1-x S composites exhibit the excellent solar light driven H 2 evolution. • S vacancies of Mn x Cd 1-x S serve as the efficient active sites for H 2 evolution reaction.