Enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution over micro-SiC by coupling with CdS under visible light irradiation

Abstract

The rate of visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen production from water splitting is greatly enhanced from zero to 555 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ through hybridizing a suitable amount of CdS particles onto the micro-SiC surface. It suggests that the hybridization is responsible for lowering the surface activation energy of SiC and well-connected SiC/CdS interfaces serve as active sites for photocatalytic reactions, leading to this significant enhancement. The self-corrosion of CdS is simultaneously avoided and the composites show high stability. Our results demonstrate that SiC powder with high electron mobility, low cost, availability of large amounts and environmental friendliness has potential to become an efficient catalyst that might find practical applications.