CdS-based Schottky junctions for efficient visible light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Heterojunctions photocatalysts play a crucial role in achieving high solar -hydrogen conversion efficiency. In this work, we mainly focus on the charge transfer dynamics and pathways for sulfides -based Schottky junctions in the photocatalytic water splitting process to clarify the mechanism of heterostructures photocatalysis. Sulfides -based Schottky junctions (CdS/CoP and CdS/1T-MoS 2 ) were successfully constructed for photocatalytic water splitting. Because of the higher work function of CdS than that of CoP and 1T-MoS 2 , the direction of the built-in electric field is from CoP or 1T-MoS 2 to semiconductor. Therefore, CoP and 1T-MoS 2 can act as electrons acceptors to accelerate the transfer of photo -generated electron on the surface of CdS, thus improving the charge utilization efficiency. Meanwhile, CoP and 1T-MoS 2 as active sites can also promote the water dissociation and lower the H + reduction overpotential, thus contributing to the excellent photocatalytic hydrogen production activity (23.59 mmol center dot h - 1 center dot g - 1 and 1195.8 mol center dot h - 1 center dot g - 1 for CdS/CoP and CdS/1T-MoS 2 ).