CuS-modified ZnO rod/reduced graphene oxide/CdS heterostructure for efficient visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen generation. (30th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Xuewen; Li, Qiuchan; Xu, Haiping; Gan, Lei; Ji, Xinfei; Liu, Hua; Zhang, Rongbin
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 45:Number 53(2020)
• Page Start: 28394
• Page End: 28403
• Publication Date: 2020-10-30
• Subjects: CuS -- ZnO–CdS -- Electrochemical growth -- Visible light -- Photocatalytic -- Hydrogen; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.07.143
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Solar energy utilization is a promising strategy for the photocatalytic generation of H2 from water. Herein, a CuS-modified ZnO rod/reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/CdS heterostructure was fabricated via Cu-induced electrochemical growth with Zn powder at room temperature. The resulting powder revealed good interfacial bonding and promoted photoexcited carrier transport. The CuS nanoparticles played a pivotal role in enhancing visible-light responses and demonstrated excellent catalytic performance. A high visible-light photocatalytic H2 generation rate of 1073 μmol h −1 g −1 was obtained from the CuS–ZnO/rGO/CdS heterostructure containing 0.23% CuS and 1.62% CdS. Increased photoexcited electron lifetimes, improved carrier transport rates, and decreased fluorescence intensities confirmed the synergistic effects of each of the components of the heterostructure. This study provides an innovative strategy for constructing multi-component heterostructures to achieve efficient visible-light H2 evolution. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A novel electrochemical growth strategy was developed to prepare CuS–ZnO/rGO/CdS. A wide visible-light absorption band was introduced into the heterostructure. CuS–ZnO/rGO/CdS exhibited an improved H2 generation rate under visible light.