Metallic 1T phase MoS2 nanosheets as a highly efficient co-catalyst for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of CdS nanorods

Abstract

Conversion of solar energy to hydrogen requires efficient, low-cost and earth-abundant H-producing photocatalysts. Herein, a novel noble metal-free photocatalyst 1T–MoS₂/CdS NRs was prepared via a simple method. The 1T–MoS₂/CdS NRs hybrid showed the highest photocatalytic activity when the optimized weight ratio of metallic 1T–MoS₂ to CdS NRs is 10 wt% in a lactic acid solution under visible light. A 794.93 μmol h⁻¹ H₂ evolution rate of the 1T–MoS₂/CdS NRs hybrid reached not only 35 times improvement than pure CdS NRs but also 4.5 times enhancement than the 2H–MoS₂/CdS NRs hybrid. The relative mechanism has been investigated. 1T–MoS₂/CdS NRs interfaces could form ohmic contact with very low contact resistances to promote photoexcited electron transfer, which was different from the p/n junction on the 2H–MoS₂/CdS NRs hybrid.