Synthesis of Ternary Cross-Linked MoS₂/WS₂/CdS Photocatalysts for Photocatalytic H₂ Production

Abstract

Photocatalytic H2 production provides an ideal way to alleviate the energy crisis and solve environmental problems. In this paper, the metallic MoS2/WS2 dual cocatalysts are prepared through the in situ growth of 1T-WS2 on the surface of 1T-MoS2 via a solvothermal method. The ternary cross-linked MoS2/WS2/CdS photocatalysts are finally constructed by growing CdS nanorods on MoS2/WS2 cocatalysts. The XRD and TEM results show that ternary cross-linked MoS2/WS2/CdS photocatalysts with close interfacial contact were successfully synthesized. The results of Photoluminescence (PL) and photoelectrochemical tests show that MoS2/WS2/CdS has the lowest hydrogen evolution overpotential and the highest charge separation efficiency. This is due to the synergistic effect between WS2 and MoS2, which further accelerates the transfer of photogenerated electrons and inhibits the recombination of carriers. The hydrogen evolution rate of the MoS2/WS2/CdS composite is 12.12 mmol·g−1·h−1, which is 4.57 times that of pristine CdS. The AQY at λ = 420 nm is 58.9%.

Keywords

• photocatalyst
• H₂ production
• MoS₂/WS₂/CdS
• synergistic effect