Construction of a unique 2D/0D NiO/ZnCdS p-n hetero junction photocatalyst with highly improved photocatalytic H2 generation capacity

ZnCdS solid solution has attracted increasing attention in visible-light photocatalytic applications due to its suitable band gap structures. However, the practical utilization of ZnCdS still faces significant challenges because of its low photocatalytic efficiency, mainly caused by the fast recombination of photoexcited charge carriers. Herein, an efficient and robust 2D/0D NiO/ZnCdS heterojunction was synthesized for visible-light-driven photocatalytic H-2 generation. By controlling the amount of NiO nanosheets, the 5% NiO/ZnCdS composite displayed a H-2 generation rate of 5042 mu mol g(-1) h(-1), about 38.2 times higher than that of ZnCdS nanoparticles. The highly improved catalytic performances of the NiO/ZnCdS photocatalysts could be attributed to the formation of 2D/0D p-n heterojunctions, effectively facilitating interfacial photoexcited charge transfer. Our study will afford an encouraging method to synthesize a novel 0D/2D p-n heterostructure for solar energy conversion.

Automated summary

ZnCdS solid solution with suitable band gap structure has gained increasing attention in visible-light photocatalytic applications. However, its low photocatalytic efficiency due to fast charge carrier recombination poses significant challenges. In this study, a high efficient and stable 2D/0D NiO/ZnCdS heterojunction was synthesized for visible-light-driven photocatalytic H-2 generation. The NiO/ZnCdS composite with 5% NiO displayed a H-2 generation rate of 5042 mu mol g(-1) h(-1), about 38.2 times higher than ZnCdS nanoparticles. The enhanced catalytic performances were attributed to the formation of 2D/0D p-n heterojunctions, facilitating interfacial charge transfer. This study provides an encouraging method for synthesizing novel 0D/2D p-n heterostructure for solar energy conversion.