Pyramidal CdS Polyhedron Modified with NiAl LDH to Form S‐scheme Heterojunction for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

AbstractThe construction of a stable and efficient photocatalyst plays an important role in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction of water splitting under visible light. In this work, both the pyramidal CdS polyhedron and NiAl LDH nanosheets were prepared by the hydrothermal method. Then, the CdS/NiAl LDH composite photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by physical mixing CdS and NiAl LDH. The best‐performing CdS/NiAl LDH photocatalyst shows out maximum H2‐production activity, which is about 6.31 times higher than pristine CdS. The loading of NiAl LDH nanosheets on the surface of pyramidal CdS polyhedron were verified by the XRD and the TEM characterization. The UV‐vis DRS indicated that the CdS/NiAl LDH composite photocatalyst was employed with distinct light absorption capacity compared with pristine CdS and pure NiAl LDH. Moreover, the CdS/NiAl LDH photocatalyst has efficient photon‐generated carriers separation capability. The outstanding photocatalytic H2 production of CdS/NiAl LDH profit from both morphological control and the formation of an S‐scheme heterojunction. Besides eliminating useless electrons and holes, the S‐scheme process could also provide more electrons to participate in photocatalytic H2 production.