Cd0.8Mn0.2S/MoO3 composites with an S-scheme heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract

High-performance and noble metal-free MoO₃/Cd_0.8Mn_0.2S nanocomposites were synthesized via a simple direct physical mixing process. Consequently, from the many characterization methods, the obtained MoO₃/Cd_0.8Mn_0.2S composites exhibited excellent photocatalytic hydrogen production performance and stability. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the MoO₃/Cd_0.8Mn_0.2S catalyst could be ascribed to the close contact interfaces and well-matched band structure of MoO₃ and Mn_0.8Cd_0.2S, which is beneficial to the transport and separation of photonic excitons. Besides, the hydrogen production performance of the MoO₃/Cd_0.8Mn_0.2S composite catalyst was 1.7 times higher than that of the pure MoO₃. Based on the results of time-resolved fluorescence (TRPL) and electrochemical measurements, the possible S-scheme heterojunction mechanism of the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of MoO₃/Cd_0.8Mn_0.2S was proposed. This work has contributed to the transformation of solar energy into chemical energy.