Rod-shaped MoC-decorated CdS for boosted visible-light-driven H2 production

Abstract

Background

The exploration of efficient and stable transition metal-based co-catalysts is of great importance for the large-scale hydrogen production by photocatalytic water splitting.

Methods

Herein, a rod-shaped nitrogen-doped carbon (NC)-supported cubic molybdenum carbide (α-MoC) (i.e. MoC/NC) was explored to decorate CdS, thus forming MoC/NC@CdS to enhance its photocatalytic hydrogen generation under visible light irradiation (≥400 nm), in which MoC/NC derived from the in-situ carbonization of the complex of phosphomolybdic acid (PMo₁₂) and Zr(IV) porphyrinic metal-organic framework (MOF-545) under inert atmosphere.

Significant findings

Due to the intrinsic hydrogen reduction activity of MoC and its improved electron structure by the NC layer, the accelerated photogenerated electron transfer of CdS to MoC by the MoC/CdS Schottky junction and the good conductivity of NC layer, as well as the resulting acceleration of carrier separation, MoC/NC@CdS exhibits outstanding photocatalytic hydrogen generation performance, achieving 32.14 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ of H₂ production rate, which was a 9.43-fold increase relative to that of pristine CdS. And the apparent quantum yield (AQY) at 420 nm was up to 1.77 %. Moreover, MoC/NC significantly mitigates the photocorrosion effect of CdS, therefore enhancing its duration.