Hierarchical Layered WS2/Graphene-Modified CdS Nanorods for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Graphene-based ternary composite photocatalysts with genuine heterostructure constituents have attracted extensive attention in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Here we report a new graphene-based ternary composite consisting of CdS nanorods grown on hierarchical layered WS2/graphene hybrid (WG) as a high-performance photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution under visible light irradiation. The optimal content of layered WG as a co-catalyst in the ternary CdS/WS2/graphene composites was found to be 4.2 wt%, giving a visible light photocatalytic H-2-production rate of 1842 mu molh(-1) g(-1) with an apparent quantum efficiency of 21.2% at 420 nm. This high photocatalytic H-2-production activity is due to the deposition of CdS nanorods on layered WS2/graphene sheets, which can efficiently suppress charge recombination, improve interfacial charge transfer, and provide reduction active sites. The proposed mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of CdS nanorods modified with hierarchical layered WG was further confirmed by transient photocurrent response. This work shows that a noble-metal-free hierarchical layered WS2/graphene nanosheets hybrid can be used as an effective co-catalyst for photocatalytic water splitting.