Photocatalytic performance and mechanism of hydrogen evolution from water over ZnCdS/ Co@CoO in sacrificial agent-free system

Photocatalytic efficient hydrogen evolution from pure water with non-noble metal system has more practical application value. In this study, the ZnCdS/Co@CoO composite photo-catalyst was prepared by a simple hydrothermal reduction method. The hydrogen evolu-tion rate from water can reach to 793 mmol center dot g(-1)center dot h(-1) in sacrificial agent-free system, and 5445 mmol center dot g(-1)center dot h(-1) with Na2S and Na2SO3 as sacrificial agent. The S-scheme heterojunction formed between ZnCdS and Co@CoO, as well as the abundant S vacancy were proved to be the key factors to effectively improve the photocatalytic performance. The study on the high hydrogen production efficiency and catalytic mechanism of ZnCdS/Co@CoO in sacrificial agent-free can provide ideas for the design and preparation of more efficient non-noble metal photocatalysts. (C) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.