In-suit photodeposition of MoS2 onto CdS quantum dots for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution

Photocatalytic hydrogen (H-2) production from water is an appealing approach to alleviate the ever-increasing fossil fuel crisis. The development of visible-light-driven photocatalytic system is an essential task for H-2 generation. CdS quantum dots (QDs) are excellent candidate for photocatalytic H-2 generation. However, the photocatalytic performance of CdS QDs is largely limited by serious charge recombination and photocorrison problems. Herein, we developed a facile method for photodeposition of MoS2 onto CdS QDs. The in-suit photodeposition approach enables thin-layered MoS2 to be intimately decorated onto the CdS QD surface. The intimate contact favors the formation of junctions between CdS and MoS2, thus promoting charge separation in CdS/MoS2. Furthermore, the MoS2 catalysts can provide highly active catalytic sites for H-2 evolution and serve as protective layer for CdS to restrict photocorrison. The resulted CdS/MoS2 photocatalysts exhibit excellent catalytic activity: the H-2 generation rate reaches 13129 mu mol h(-1) g(-1), which is 7.2 times higher than that of the pristine CdS-S QDs. The CdS/MoS2 photocatalysts also possess superior photocatalytic durability under visible light. This work provides a novel method for in-suit growth of MoS2 onto QDs. The surface modification strategy presented here offers new opportunities for developing new-types of photocatalysts based on QDs.

Automated summary

The study introduced a simple method for in-situ growth of MoS2 onto CdS quantum dots, forming CdS/MoS2 composite photocatalysts. These photocatalysts exhibit excellent catalytic activity and superior photocatalytic durability, providing new opportunities for developing new types of photocatalysts based on quantum dots.