Nanoarchitectonics of core-shelled hollow CuPc/Zn0.5Cd0.5S photocatalyst for stable hydrogen evolution under visible-light irradiation

Exploration visible-light-driven photocatalyst is imperative to resolve energy crisis. Hollow structure photocatalyst has attracted increasing attention due to its large surface area can greatly facilitate light harvesting and enrich the reaction sites. Based on this, a hollow core-shelled composite photocatalyst of Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S and copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) was synthesized by facile solution method. Under visible-light irradiation (λ > 400 nm), the as-prepared CuPc/Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S photocatalyst exhibits eminent hydrogen evolution up to 29.16 mmol/g·h without noble metal co-catalyst modification, which was 3.5 times higher than pristine hollow Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S nanoflower (8.42 mmol/g·h). Meanwhile, the lifetime of photo-carriers prolongs from 0.765 s (Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S) to 1.05 s (CuPc/Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S-4%) based on open-circuit potential calculation, and the apparent quantum yield reaches 6.95% at 400 nm wavelength. In addition, the photocorrosion of Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S phase dissolution is greatly restrained, ascribing to p-type CuPc with merits of fast holes transfer and high chemical stability. These results indicate that CuPc/Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S heterojunction possesses excellent visible-light absorption capacity and superior photocatalytic hydrogen evolution property. This study presents new insights for designing core-shelled hollow photocatalyst based on organic-inorganic nanoarchitectonics, which displays countless potential for future green energy harvesting.