Cd0.8Mn0.2S/MoO3 composites with an S-scheme heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

High-performance and noble metal-free MoO3/Cd0.8Mn0.2S nanocomposites were synthesized via a simple direct physical mixing process. Consequently, from the many characterization methods, the obtained MoO3/Cd0.8Mn0.2S composites exhibited excellent photocatalytic hydrogen production performance and stability. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the MoO3/Cd0.8Mn0.2S catalyst could be ascribed to the close contact interfaces and well-matched band structure of MoO3 and Mn0.8Cd0.2S, which is beneficial to the transport and separation of photonic excitons. Besides, the hydrogen production performance of the MoO3/Cd0.8Mn0.2S composite catalyst was 1.7 times higher than that of the pure MoO3. Based on the results of time-resolved fluorescence (TRPL) and electrochemical measurements, the possible S-scheme heterojunction mechanism of the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of MoO3/Cd0.8Mn0.2S was proposed. This work has contributed to the transformation of solar energy into chemical energy.

Automated summary

The high-performance MoO3/Cd0.8Mn0.2S nanocomposites, synthesized by a simple physical mixing process, exhibited excellent photocatalytic hydrogen production performance due to their well-matched band structure and close contact interfaces. Moreover, the hydrogen production performance of the composite catalyst was 1.7 times higher than that of pure MoO3. Results from time-resolved fluorescence and electrochemical measurements proposed a possible S-scheme heterojunction mechanism for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of MoO3/Cd0.8Mn0.2S.