Microwave hydrothermal synthesis of WO₃(H₂O)_0.333/CdS nanocomposites for efficient visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract

WO₃(H₂O)_0.333/CdS (WS) nanocomposites are obtained via a rapid microwave hydrothermal method, and they are served as visible light-driven photocatalysts for the H₂ generation. By using Pt as the cocatalyst, the WS nanocomposite with 70 wt.% CdS reaches the H₂ evolution rate of 10.32 mmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹, much quicker than those of WO₃(H₂O)_0.333 and CdS. The cycling test reveals the good photocatalytic stability of the WS nanocomposite. The carrier transfer mechanism of WS nanocomposites can be explained by the Z-scheme mechanism. The existence of the Z-scheme heterojunction greatly helps to separate photogenerated carriers and thus improves the photocatalytic activity. The present work provides a rapid synthesis method for preparing Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts, and may be helpful for the green production of hydrogen.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

nanocomposite / semiconductor / photocatalysis / hydrogen evolution

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