CdS decorated MnWO4 nanorod nanoheterostructures: a new 0D–1D hybrid system for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production under natural sunlight. Issue 2 (23rd December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sethi, Yogesh A.; Kulkarni, Aniruddha K.; Ambalkar, Anuradha A.; Khore, Supriya K.; Gunjal, Aarti R.; Gosavi, Suresh W.; Kale, Bharat B.
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale advances. Volume 3:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 508
• Page End: 516
• Publication Date: 2020-12-23
• Subjects: 620.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d0na00843e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-0230

Abstract

Abstract : Herein, we have demonstrated the CdS decorated MnWO4 nanorods nanoheterostructure by facile solvothermal method. The heterostructures have been used as photocatalyst for hydrogen production under solar light. Abstract : Constructing a heterostructure is an effective strategy to reduce the electron–hole recombination rate, which enhances photocatalytic activity. Here, we report a facile hydrothermal method to grow CdS nanoparticles on MnWO4 nanorods and their photocatalytic hydrogen generation under solar light. A structural study shows the decoration of hexagonal CdS nanoparticles on monoclinic MnWO4 . Morphological studies based on FE-TEM analysis confirm the sensitization of CdS nanoparticles (10 nm) on MnWO4 nanorods of diameter-35 nm with mean length ∼100 nm. The lower PL intensity of MnWO4 was observed with an increasing amount of CdS nanoparticles, which shows inhibition of the charge carrier recombination rate. A CdS@MnWO4 narrow band gap semiconductor was employed for photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water under solar light and the highest amount of hydrogen, i.e. 3218 μmol h −1 g −1, is obtained which is 21 times higher than that with pristine MnWO4 . The enhanced photocatalytic activity is ascribed to the formation of a CdS@MnWO4 nanoheterostructure resulting in efficient spatial separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs due to vacancy defects. More significantly, direct Z-scheme electron transfer from MnWO4 to CdS is responsible for the enhanced hydrogen evolution. This work signifies that a CdS decorated MnWO4 nanoheterostructure has the potential to improve the solar to direct fuel conversion efficiency.