Template-synthesized CdWO4/Cd0.5Zn0.5S hollow microsphere photocatalyst for high-efficient hydrogen evolution under visible light

Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production is a promising strategy for renewable energy. While Cd1- X Zn X S catalysts display high photocatalytic hydrogen evolution efficiency in pure water, they are limited by severe photocorrosion and rapid recombination of electron-hole pairs. In this study, HGM (hollow glass microspheres) was used as the support template, Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S and CdWO4 were successively coated on the template by hydrothermal method. The tightly packed heterojunction interface between the coatings ensures efficient electron transport and suppresses the recombination of electron-hole pairs. Under visible light irradiation, when the theoretical mass ratio of Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S to CdWO4 is 4:1, the Cd0.5Zn0.5S/CdWO4-25% hollow microsphere photocatalyst exhibits the highest hydrogen evolution rate, reaching 41.40 mmol g- 1 h- 1 , which is approximately 3.4 times higher than the hydrogen evolution rate of pure Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S (12.31 mmol g- 1 h- 1 ). This research provides a novel approach for the design and synthesis of efficient and stable photocatalysts.