Hollow heterostructure CoS/CdS photocatalysts with enhanced charge transfer for photocatalytic hydrogen production from seawater

Abstract

In recent years, there have been many studies on photocatalytic water splitting, but there are still few high-efficiency photocatalysts for photocatalytic seawater splitting. In this study, a series of hollow Co sulphide-supported CdS catalyst (H–CoS/CdS) composite photocatalysts were prepared by loading CdS onto the surface of H–CoS, which can be used for efficient H 2 production in pure water and simulated seawater. The heterojunction H–CoS/CdS exhibited H 2 production of 572.4 μmol g −1 (4 h) from simulated seawater, which is 97.7 and 2.96 times those of H–CoS and CdS, respectively. The h-CoS cocatalyst extended the light absorption range of CdS, improved the chemical stability, and significantly enhances the charge separation efficiency. This study provides guidance for the reasonable design of a photocatalytic seawater-based H 2 production catalyst with high efficiency and low cost. • A hollow CoS/CdS heterojunction photocatalyst was prepared by the template method. • The H–CoS/CdS-2 photocatalyst exhibited exceptional activity for H 2 production. • H 2 production reached 572.4 μmol g −1 after 4 h in simulated seawater.