NiS nanoparticle decorated MoS2 nanosheets as efficient promoters for enhanced solar H2 evolution over ZnxCd1-xS nanorods

Facilitating charge separation as well as surface redox reactions is central to improve semiconductor catalyzed solar hydrogen generation. Photocatalysts comprising intimately interfaced photoabsorbers and copromoters for the enhanced photocatalytic efficiency have gained much attention. In this paper, efficient promoters of NiS decorated MoS2 nanosheets (MoS2/NiS) coupled with ZnxCd(1-x)S nanorods have been prepared through a convenient hydrothermal method. The as-achieved Zn0.2Cd0.8S/MoS2/NiS nanohybrids exhibited a high solar H-2 evolution activity with a rate of 41.29 mmol g(cat)(-1) h(-1) and the apparent quantum efficiency of 19% at a wavelength of 435 nm. The result represents one of the most active photocatalysts with noble-metal-free cocatalysts. The synergetic effects of MoS2 and NiS are responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activity, and the presence of NiS further promotes the photo-induced electron-transfer from Zn0.2Cd0.8S to MoS2. This work opens an avenue for the design of efficient cocatalysts towards the enhancement of photocatalytic performance.