Enhanced photocatalytic H-2 production on cadmium sulfide photocatalysts using nickel nitride as a novel cocatalyst

Photocatalytic hydrogen production using solar energy offers a clean and sustainable pathway for future energy supply. Herein, we report nickel nitride (Ni3N) as a novel cocatalyst on cadmium sulfide nanorod (CdS NR) semiconductors to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen production in water. The Ni3N cocatalyst was grown by a facile in situ growth method. Under optimal conditions, the hydrogen production rate can be improved more than 10 times by introducing an appropriate amount of Ni3N on CdS NRs. PL spectra and photoelectrochemical measurements suggest that faster interfacial charge transfer between Ni3N and CdS may be the key factor for the enhanced photocatalytic activity.