Highly stable γ-NiOOH/ZnCdS photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution

It is extremely desirable to develop high hydrogen evolution activity and stable visible-light-driven photocatalysts. The sluggish oxidation process and holes accumulation are the main obstacles to high catalysis activity and photo-stability. An efficient gamma-NiOOH/ZnCdS photocatalyst was prepared by in-situ hydrothermal method. The gamma-NiOOH nano-sheets distribute on ZnCdS nanospheres surface and accelerate holes transfer. The hydrogen evolution rate is up to 48.60 mmol g(-1) h(-1) under visible-light illumination (lambda = 400-780 nm), about 10.8 times of pure ZnCdS (4.50 mmol g(-1) h(-1)) and 1.8 times of general beta-NiOOH modified ZnCdS (27.40 mmol g(-1) h(-1)). And apparent quantum yield of gamma-NiOOH/ZCS-100 is up to 18.23% (400 nm). The carrier lifetime extends from 5.50 ns (ZnCdS) to 6.10 ns (gamma-NiOOH/ZCS), examined by steady photoluminescence and time-resolved photoluminescence. Moreover, the gamma-NiOOH/ZCS photocatalyst has exhibited excellent photo-stability even after one-year of storage. The gamma-NiOOH nanosheets can be an excellent co-catalyst on accelerating both holes transfer and oxidation process for high photostability and photo-activity. (C) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

An efficient gamma-NiOOH/ZnCdS photocatalyst with high hydrogen evolution activity and stable visible-light-driven performance was prepared by in-situ hydrothermal method. The gamma-NiOOH nanosheets distribute on the ZnCdS nanosphere surface, accelerating holes transfer and improving catalysis activity and photo-stability.