Hollow CdS nanotubes with ZIF-8 as co-catalyst for enhanced photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Designing high-efficiency heterojunction photocatalysts for water splitting is an intriguing prospect in energy conversion. Herein, we successfully fabricated a CdS/ZIF-8 heterojunction system through a facile wet-chemically method, in which ZIF-8 nanoparticles were in-situ adhered on hollow CdS nanotubes. Due to the well-matched band structure and intimate interface contact in CdS/ZIF-8 hybrid structure, the interfacial charge separation in the established system was tremendously boosted. As a consequence, the established CdS/ZIF-8 heterojunction exhibited the optimal photocatalytic hydrogen production performance (2.10 mmol·g−1 L−1), which was 35 times higher than pristine CdS (0.06 mmol·g−1·L−1). We believe this strategy will endow new insights for the development of novel photocatalysts.