Exposed (002) facets and controllable thickness of CdS nanobelts drive desirable hydrogen-adsorption free energy (ΔGH) for boosting visible-light photocatalytic performance

In order to obtain high photocatalytic performance, co-catalysts loading is most commonly used, which has economic disadvantages and can cause environmental pollution. Here, we combine the strategy of controllable thickness of CdS with hydrogen binding properties and hydrogen adsorption free energy (Delta G(H)). An ultrathin (1.5-2.5 nm) (002) faceted CdS nanobelt was synthesized by a stirring-assisted solvothermal method. Without any co-catalysts, it achieved a superior high visible-light photocatalytic performance of 282.12 mmol g(-1) h(-1) and an apparent quantum yield of 82.4% at 420 nm. This super photocatalytic performance arises from the exposed (002) facets and the controllable thickness of the CdS nanobelt, where the controllable thickness of the CdS nanobelt leads to a desirable value for the hydrogen adsorption free energy (Delta G(H)) resulting in higher photocatalytic performance. This work provides a facile strategy that can contribute to exploiting the high efficiency co-catalysts-free photocatalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Automated summary

This study successfully achieved high visible-light photocatalytic performance by preparing ultrathin (1.5-2.5 nm) (002) faceted CdS nanobelts, which resulted in high apparent quantum yield and photocatalytic hydrogen production rate. The controllable thickness of the CdS nanobelts led to an ideal value of hydrogen adsorption free energy, contributing to the enhanced photocatalytic performance.