Efficient flower-like ZnSe/Cu0.08Zn0.92S photocatalyst for hydrogen production application

Photocatalytic hydrogen production utilizing abundant solar energy to produce high-calorie, clean, and pollution-free hydrogen is an important approach to solving environmental and resource problems. In this work, a high-efficiency flower-like ZnSe/Cu 0.08 Zn 0.92 S photocatalyst was constructed through element doping and the formation of a Z-scheme heterojunction. The synergistic effect of Cu doping and the built-in electric field in the heterojunction enhanced light absorption and utilization by the ZnSe/Cu 0.08 Zn 0.92 S microflowers, accelerated the separation and transfer of photogenerated electrons and effectively inhibited electron–hole recombination. Thus the photocatalytic hydrogen production ability of the ZnSe/Cu 0.08 Zn 0.92 S microflowers was increased significantly. The highly stable ZnSe/Cu 0.08 Zn 0.92 S microflowers could provide excellent catalysis of photocatalytic hydrogen production.