Spherical ZnCdS/SiO2 photocatalysts synergizing with sodium lignosulfonate for efficient hydrogen production

Driven by renewable solar energy, biomass reforming under mild conditions for synergistic hydrogen production has emerged as a rapidly developing and promising approach, enabling not only high-purity hydrogen generation but also offering new avenues for biomass reutilization. In this work, a spherical ZCS/SiO 2 composite catalyst was fabricated by anchoring ZnCdS (ZCS) nanoparticles onto SiO 2 nanospheres via a water bath technique coupled with in situ growth. The physicochemical properties of the resulting catalyst were systematically investigated through comprehensive characterization methods, and the behavior of photogenerated charges was analyzed using photoelectrochemical measurements. Among the prepared samples, the ZCS/SiO 2 -100% catalyst exhibited the highest hydrogen evolution activity, achieving a hydrogen evolution rate of 109.16 μmol g −1 h −1 when sodium lignosulfonate, derived from the bamboo pulping process, was used as the substrate. This enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance is primarily attributed to the introduction of SiO 2 , which increases the number of active sites and expands the contact area between the catalyst and reactants. Furthermore, a plausible photocatalytic reaction mechanism is proposed. It is anticipated that this study will provide a promising strategy for green hydrogen production, high-value conversion of organic waste, and the advancement of efficient photocatalytic materials.