Mn0.2Cd0.8S polyhedra modified with Ni(HCO3)2 nanosheets for enhanced visible light-driven photocatalytic H2 evolution

Abstract

Modification with efficient, stable and low-cost co-catalyst has been considered as a promising way to upgrade photocatalytic property of MnxCd1−xS. Herein, Ni(HCO3)2 nanosheets were loaded on polyhedral Mn0.2Cd0.8S (MCS) surface through an in-situ hydrothermal method. As-prepared MCS/Ni(HCO3)2 composites exhibited the boosted H2 evolution activities. The optimal H2 evolution rate (17.7 mmol g−1 h−1) with the calculated AQE value (17.5%) at 420 nm was achieved over the MCS/Ni(HCO3)2 composite with 10 mol% loading amount of Ni(HCO3)2, which reached 4.0 times of MCS alone. The boosted activity could be ascribed to highly efficient interfacial charge separation and abundant surface active site derived from the structural and functional advantages of MCS/Ni(HCO3)2 composite. This work gives a fresh perspective on the design and application of transition metal bicarbonate as co-catalysts towards H2 evolution.