Growth of Zn0.5Cd0.5S/-Ni(OH)2 heterojunction by a facile hydrothermal transformation efficiently boosting photocatalytic hydrogen production

Improving the efficiency of charge separation is an important aspect in photocatalysis. In this work, the hybrid nanostructure of -Ni(OH)(2)/Zn0.5Cd0.5S has been prepared by a simple two-step method for the first time. Here, designed/constructed with -Ni(OH)(2) over Zn-Cd-S, the catalyst efficiently boosts hydrogen evolution in photocatalytic hydrogen production. With a 25% content of -Ni(OH)(2) in the ZSN25 composite under visible light ( 420 nm) irradiation, remarkable hydrogen production of 22.45 mmol g(-1) h(-1) has been achieved. In addition, we found that the activities could be improved by means of controlling the formation of -Ni(OH)(2) species. The reason is that the interface between -Ni(OH)(2) and Zn0.5Cd0.5S provides a fast charge transfer channel to reduce the recombination of photogenerated carrier. Also, the formation of this interface is largely related to the content of -Ni(OH)(2). The Tafel slope, EIS and PL spectra support enhanced photocatalytic energy in the -Ni(OH)(2)/Zn0.5Cd0.5S charge transfer state and faster hydrogen evolution kinetics. These nanocomposites of Zn0.5Cd0.5S modified by -Ni(OH)(2) are of great significance for renewable hydrogen generation technology.