CdS/CuCo2S4 dots-on-rods boosting charge separation and hydrogen evolution. (1st July 2022) - Gautam, Amit
Abstract: Herein, we report a new class of CdS/CuCo2 S4 dots-on-rods nanostructures that exhibit efficient visible-light-induced H2 evolution from water. The material CuCo2 S4 nanodots over CdS nanorods are fabricated through controlled loading in a facile hydrothermal process and formed a heterojunction, maximizing the energy conversion, that shows advanced performance in photochemical H2 evolution (rate: 33.32 mmol g −1 h −1 and AQY: 13.2% at λ = 420 ± 15 nm) from water. The experimental and theoretical results on physical and chemical properties revealed that the photocatalytic system is positively correlated with the H2 production rate and suggest that CuCo2 S4 nanodots in CdS nanorods plays a critical role in relative efficiency of the H2 generation. The surprisingly high activity was attributed to enhanced charge carriers' separation and transfer efficiency, confirmed by the kinetic measurements (TAS) and further reinforced from the Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) analysis and theoretical understanding. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The newly developed CdS/CuCo2 S4 was prepared by two-step hydrothermal process. CuCo2 S4 nanodots decorated on CdS nanorods forms nano-heterojunction. CdS/CuCo2 S4 system exhibited H2 evolution rate of 33.32 mmol g −1 h −1 . Structural and electronic properties were computed by DFT studies. TAS indicates fast charge separation across CdS/CuCo2 S4 hetero-junction.