Enhanced Photoelectrocatalytic H2 Evolution over Two-Dimensional MoS2 Nanosheets Loaded on Cu-Doped CdS Nanorods

Graphical Photo finish : A catalyst made of MoS 2 nanosheets loaded on Cu-doped CdS nanorods is synthesized through a facile two-step solvothermal approach. The working electrode is formed by loading a certain amount of catalyst on fluorine tin oxide. A significant increase in the photoelectrochemical performance is observed, owing to the synergistic effect between CdS and MoS 2 and fast interfacial charge transfer from the Cu 2+ doping. Transition-metal ion doping and efficient decoration by using a co-catalyst have been proven to effectively inhibit the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and broaden the visible-light response region. Here, we have constructed MoS 2 nanosheets decorated on a copper-doped CdS nanorod composite as a noble-metal-free photoelectrocatalyst. This kind of composite material was constructed through a simple solvothermal method. The morphology, structure, chemical states, photoelectrochemical properties, and other properties were tested by using a diverse range of analytical techniques. Owing to the Cu 2+ doping and the excellent electron-capturing ability of MoS 2 , 5 % MoS 2 /Cu−CdS (with 7 % Cu 2+ doping in CdS) exhibits excellent hydrogen evolution reaction with a rate of 10.18 mmol h −1 g −1 , which is about 48 times higher than that of pure CdS. A significant increase in the photoelectrochemical performance of the composite catalytic material benefits from the synergistic effect between CdS and MoS 2 and fast interfacial charge transfer, owing to the Cu 2+ doping. These findings provide a new thought for further research of the ion doping in photoelectrocatalytic field.