A robust cocatalyst Pd4S uniformly anchored onto Bi2S3 nanorods for enhanced visible light photocatalysis

Abstract

Pd₄S is one of the main poisoning products of metallic Pd catalysts, caused by hydrogen sulfide, and its catalytic applications have not been given sufficient attention. Herein, a novel photocatalyst hybrid, Bi₂S₃ nanorods uniformly anchored by Pd₄S nanoparticles, was successfully synthesized using a facile method and used for efficient visible light photocatalysis. Pd₄S nanoparticles were formed in situ from the Bi₂S₃ nanorods through thermal reduction, and played an important role in the enhanced overall performance of this hybrid. The as-prepared Pd₄S/Bi₂S₃ heterostructure exhibited superior electrochemical and photochemical properties and had a higher photocatalytic activity in the degradation of atrazine, a typical herbicide found in the environment, compared to both Pd₄S and Bi₂S₃, individually. The uniformly dispersed Pd₄S nanoparticles, substantially facilitate charge separation and transfer on the Bi₂S₃ nanorods, and then serve as active sites, leading to excellent photocatalytic capacity.