Rational designing 0D/1D Z-scheme heterojunction on CdS nanorods for efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic H2 evolution

Rational design and construction of unique transmission channel in photocatalyst system is of great significance for promoting the efficient spatial separation of photo-induced charge carriers. This work reports a novel 0D/1D direct Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst synthesized by in-situ anchoring W18O49 QDs onto the surface of CdS NRs. Due to this unique structural design, both bulk and surface photogenerated carriers are separated efficiently, achieving a dramatically improved photocatalytic H2 evolution performance. The optimal of H2 production rate of the W18O49/CdS heterostructure is as high as 55.24 mmol?h- 1?g? 1, with lactic acid as sacrificial reagents under visible light irradiation, which is approximately 110.5 and 3.7 times as that of pure CdS NRs and Pt/CdS, respectively. Even in the absence of hole scavengers, the optimal WCS300 composite exhibits an obvious photocatalytic H2 evolution activity accompanied by the generation of considerable H2O2. This work provides a new protocol for the development of efficient photocatalyst systems.

Automated summary

This study reports a novel 0D/1D direct Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst synthesized by anchoring W18O49 QDs onto CdS NRs, which efficiently separates photogenerated carriers and significantly improves photocatalytic H2 evolution performance. The optimal H2 production rate of the heterostructure is 55.24 mmol/h-1·g-1, outperforming pure CdS NRs and Pt/CdS by 110.5 and 3.7 times, respectively. The composite also demonstrates photocatalytic H2 evolution activity and generation of H2O2 even in the absence of hole scavengers, indicating a new protocol for efficient photocatalyst systems.