One-pot synthesized visible-light-responsive MoS2@CdS nanosheets-on- nanospheres for hydrogen evolution from the antibiotic wastewater: Waste to energy insight

Abstract

MoS2@CdS with a nanosheets-on-nanospheres morphology has been synthesized successfully via a one-pot hydrothermal method. The physical and chemical properties were characterized by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, HADDF, Element Mapping, XPS, Raman Spectra and UV–vis Spectrum. The results indicated the strong chemical interaction between CdS and mixed phase MoS2 was favorable for the charge separation thus extremely improved the rate of H2 generation. Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution experiments were performed in an amoxicillin antibiotic wastewater system. Mixed phase MoS2 with a mole ratio of 5% to CdS achieved the highest efficiency of 87 μmol/h under visible light (λ > 420 nm), which can be attributed to the enhanced charge separation, as proved by the EIS and Photocurrent experiments. Meanwhile, the amoxicillin exhibited a degradation ratio of 16.4% in 6 h. The degradation products also have been analyzed by HPLC-MS method, which demonstrated that the amoxicillin molecules have been transformed into small molecules. In summary, this study provides a cost-effective and efficient way to convert antibiotic wastewater into hydrogen energy.