Exfoliated Mo2C nanosheets hybridized on CdS with fast electron transfer for efficient photocatalytic H2 production under visible light irradiation

Visible-light-driven H-2 production by water splitting using photocatalysts has aroused widespread interest. For wide applications, an exploration of low-cost and high-performance cocatalysts to replace expensive and rare noble metals is highly desirable. Herein, highly exfoliated 2D Mo2C nanosheets (Mo2C) were prepared by liquid-phase ultrasonic exfoliation for the first time. As a photocatalyst for H2 production under visible light irradiation, Mo2C was hybridized on CdS nanoparticles (CdS) to be the composite Mo2C/CdS. Mo2C/CdS exhibits a remarkable H-2 production rate of 7.7 mmol g(-1) h(-1) which is 6-, 16-, and 4-folds as high as those for bulk Mo2C/CdS, pure CdS, and Pt/CdS, respectively. The apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 3 wt% Mo2C/CdS is 86 % at 460 nm. The enhanced activity is attributed to the rapid transfer of photogenerated electrons from CdS to Mo2C as well as the presence of more active sites of Mo2C than bulk Mo2C.