Nanostructured CdS for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution: A review

Abstract

Cadmium sulfide (CdS)-based photocatalysts have attracted extensive attention owing to their strong visible light absorption, suitable band energy levels, and excellent electronic charge transportation properties. This review focuses on the recent progress related to the design, modification, and construction of CdS-based photocatalysts with excellent photocatalytic H2 evolution performances. First, the basic concepts and mechanisms of photocatalytic H2 evolution are briefly introduced. Thereafter, the fundamental properties, important advancements, and bottlenecks of CdS in photocatalytic H2 generation are presented in detail to provide an overview of the potential of this material. Subsequently, various modification strategies adopted for CdS-based photocatalysts to yield solar H2 are discussed, among which the effective approaches aim at generating more charge carriers, promoting efficient charge separation, boosting interfacial charge transfer, accelerating charge utilization, and suppressing charge-induced self-photocorrosion. The critical factors governing the performance of the photocatalyst and the feasibility of each modification strategy toward shaping future research directions are comprehensively discussed with examples. Finally, the prospects and challenges encountered in developing nanostructured CdS and CdS-based nanocomposites in photocatalytic H2 evolution are presented.