OD/2D nanocomposite visible light photocatalyst for highly stable and efficient hydrogen generation via recrystallization of CdS on MoS2 nanosheets

CdS systems represent promising photocatalysts for hydrogen generation; however, these systems are seriously restricted by inherent issues with photocorrosion. Here, the CdS photocorrosion process is prevented and a high stable and effective photocatalyst is obtained in the novel OD/2D CdS/MoS2 nanosheet composite system. According to crystallization kinetics, the CdS photocorrosion process will be prevented if the S elements resulting from photocorrosion can be reduced back to S2- in the same photocatalytic system. So a photocorrosion-recrystallization strategy is proposed for the first time to resolve issues with photocorrosion when using CdS photocatalysts. Meanwhile, the recrystallized OD/2D CdS/MoS2 nanocomposite produces a high quantum efficiency of 23.03% (lambda(ex)=420 nm), the evolution of hydrogen presents no notable activity losses for up to 400 h. Thus, the approach demonstrated here represents a promising method of designing and fabricating more stable and efficient composite chalcogenide photocatalysts. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.