CdS@h-BN heterointerface construction on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets for hydrogen production

Solar light driven hydrogen evolution is a prospective strategy to solve the energy problem. However, the poor photoresponse, low photocurrent density and easy electron-hole recombination remarkably restrict the HER activity of the conventional photocatalyst. Herein, we constructed a CdS@hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) heterostructure on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to synthesize a ternary CdS@h-BN/rGO catalyst via a structural reconstruction strategy. The CdS@h-BN heterointerface promoted the electrons transferring to the CdS active centers from the valence band of h-BN under photoinduction, overcoming the wide bandgap defect of pristine h-BN. The easily photoexcited property of CdS cocatalyst resulted in superhigh photocurrent density (2.7.mu A cm(-2)) under simulated solar light, which was 3.3-fold greater of pristine CdS NPs. Meanwhile, the interfacial interactions of three components remarkably restrained the carriers recombination. Hence, the resultant ternary hybrid catalyst presented remarkably improved photoresponse and interfacial conductivity, thereby the optimal catalyst represented remarkably enhanced HER activity (6465.33 mu mol h(-1) g(-1)) under simulated solar light, which was about 10.9-fold greater of the pristine CdS NPs and 218.3-fold greater of the optimal h-BN/rGO hybrid. About 19.8 % of apparent quantum yield was achieved under illumination of lambda =420 nm, and the excellent regenerability and durability were represented during six cycles and 20 h of continued illumination. Thereby, this study provides a prospective idea for constructing low-cost nonprecious metal based photocatalyst with highly efficient HER performance.

Automated summary

This study successfully enhanced the hydrogen evolution activity under solar light by constructing a CdS@h-BN/rGO catalyst, which exhibited excellent photoresponse and interfacial conductivity.