Noble-metal-free amorphous CoMoSx modified CdS core-shell nanowires for dramatically enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light irradiation

Design and construction of highly efficient and stable co-catalysts are critical for the photocatalytic H 2 generation from water. In this work, we report the novel CdS/CoMoS x core-shell nanowires (CCMS NWs) prepared by a facile in situ synthesis method. The in situ growth of amorphous CoMoS x shell on the surface of CdS NWs core efficiently promoted the photocatalytic H 2 evolution under visible light irradiation . The optimized CCMS sample containing 15 mol% CoMoS x (CCMS-15) achieves a H 2 evolution rate as high as 477.96 μmol·h − 1 under visible light irradiation, up to 26.3 times over bare CdS (18.2 μmol·h − 1 ). Moreover, the constructed core-shell CdS/CoMoS x photocatalyst shows a long-term stability without noticeable activity degradation. Based on the detailed analyses of PL , UV–vis DRS , transient photocurrent responses, EIS, Mott-Schottky plots and ESR , the significantly enhanced activity is ascribed to the synergistic effect of increased visible light absorption , suppressed photo-generated charge carries recombination and the amorphous defective structure of CoMoS x co-catalyst. In consideration of its facile synthesis, low cost, and superior performance, the amorphous CoMoS x appears to be promising co-catalyst for photocatalytic water splitting.