Construction of S-scheme Mn0.1Cd0.9S/WO3 1D/0D heterojunction assemblies for visible-light driven high-efficient H2 evolution

Metal chalcogenides still suffer from the fast recombination of photoinduced charges and serious photo -corrosion when used as visible-light-responsive photocatalysts. The rationally designed photocatalysts should simultaneously possess high light-harvesting efficiency, fast charge separation, optimum redox ability and lasting stability, and this remains a big challenge. Herein, 0D WO3 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by using a deep eutectic solvents (DESs) pyrolysis method. And then 0D WO3 NPs coupled 1D Mn0.1Cd0.9S (MCS) nanorods were introduced to construct the S-scheme 1D/0D MCS/W heterojunction cauliflower-shaped assemblies, which were developed by using a simple hydrothermal method. X-ray photoelectron spectra disclosed the formation of the S-W-O bond, indicating strong interfacial interaction between MCS and WO3 at the heterojunction. The formed S-scheme 1D/0D MCS/W heterojunction cauli-flower-shaped assemblies and the construction of internal electric field not only enhance visible light ab-sorption, but also boost charge separation efficiency, and endow higher redox ability and long-term durability. Profiting from morphological and energy band structure synergy, the resultant MCS/W hetero-junction assemblies exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic H-2 generation rate of 21.25 mmol h(-1) g(-1), which was 25 times higher than that of pristine MCS. This work provides new deep insights into the rational construction of S-scheme heterojunction assemblies based on morphology and band structure design to boost the photocatalytic performance. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Metal chalcogenides face challenges in their application as visible-light-responsive photocatalysts due to fast recombination of charges and photo-corrosion. This study presents a rational design strategy to overcome these challenges by constructing S-scheme 1D/0D MCS/W heterojunction cauliflower-shaped assemblies. The resulting heterojunction showed enhanced visible light absorption, improved charge separation efficiency, and higher redox ability and long-term durability. The photocatalytic H-2 generation rate of the heterojunction assemblies was 25 times higher than that of the pristine MCS. This work provides deep insights into the rational construction of heterojunction assemblies for improved photocatalytic performance.