Noble metal free CdS@CuS-NixP hybrid with modulated charge transfer for enhanced photocatalytic performance

Constructing low-cost and highly active photocatalysts is extremely desirable for converting solar energy into chemical fuels. Herein, we report a one-dimensional (1D) CdS@CuS-NixP (CCN) core-shell heterostructure catalyst for effective photocatalytic hydrogen (H-2) evolution with modulated charge transfer, which exhibits remarkably higher activity than bare CdS nanowires (NWs). The evenly distributed and closely contacted CdS@CuS (CC) heteroepitaxial nanomaterial constructs a type-I heterostructure for improved photoinduced charge carrier separation. The NixP nanoparticles (NPs), which act as a cocatalyst, not only contribute to constructing three-level charge transfer by capturing the photogenerated electrons, but also provide active sites for proton reduction. In addition, the cocatalyst strategy reported here can be extended to other transition metal phosphide (TMP). Mechanistic studies suggest that the cooperative synergy of three-level charge transfer and introduction of reaction sites results in a significant enhancement of photoactivity for H-2 evolution.