Fabricating FeS2/Mn0.3Cd0.7S S-scheme heterojunction for enhanced photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H2 evolution under full-spectrum light

To effectively harness solar energy, the rational construction and development of full-spectrum photocatalysts has become an appealing challenge. In this study, a novel full-spectrum responsive FeS 2 /Mn 0.3 Cd 0.7 S (FS/MCS) S-scheme photocatalyst was obtained by attaching FeS 2 nanoparticles with excellent photothermal properties on Mn 0.3 Cd 0.7 S nanorods. The photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of the optimal FS/MCS composite was 52.017 mmol·g −1 ·h −1 under full-spectrum irradiation, which was 3.88 times that of pure MCS. Based on the experimental results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the enhanced photoactivity of FS/MCS was attributed to the synergetic effects of photothermal and S-scheme heterojunction. The photothermal effect of FeS 2 could convert the near infrared light to heat, which elevated the local temperature of photocatalyst particles, thereby promoting the photocatalytic reaction. Meanwhile, the S-scheme heterojunction between FeS 2 and Mn 0.3 Cd 0.7 S accelerated the charge transfer and suppressed the recombination of electron-hole pairs, thereby enabling efficient charge separation while maintaining high redox potentials. This work offers a novel perspective on constructing a full-spectrum-driven photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H 2 evolution system though the dual effects of photothermal and heterojunction.