Cuboidal Cu2O nanoparticles dispersed granular Mn0.05Cd0.95S form a p-n heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

In this work, n-type semiconductor Mn0.05Cd0.95S (MCS) nanoparticles are closely glued to the surface of p-type semiconductor Cu2O nanocubes, which increasing the contact area between them and presenting a more uniform distribution. And a Cu2O/Mn0.05Cd0.95S p-n heterojunction was formed, thus, a p-n interface is constructed at the surface of MCS nanoparticles and Cu2O nanocubes, where the internal electric field drives the transfer of photogenerated electrons, so that high-efficiency prevents the combination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Here, under the premise that Na2S/Na2SO3 (0.35 M/0.25 M) solution is used as a sacrificive reagent, Hydrogen production experiments have confirmed this 5%Cu2O/Mn0.05Cd0.95S photocatalyst exhibits the highest photocatalytic hydrogen production activity of 468.3 mu mol, which is approximate 2.8 times higher than that of pure MCS nanoparticles. Moreover, a high photostability was also obtained over 5%Cu2O/Mn0.05Cd0.95S photocatalyst. This discovery proves a facile method to construct Cu2O/Mn0.05Cd0.95S p-n heterojunction for highly efficient visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Automated summary

In this study, n-type semiconductor Mn0.05Cd0.95S nanoparticles were closely attached to the surface of p-type semiconductor Cu2O nanocubes to form a Cu2O/Mn0.05Cd0.95S p-n heterojunction, leading to efficient visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with high photostability. This discovery demonstrates a facile method for constructing p-n heterojunctions for highly efficient photochemical applications.