Emerging n-p-n Mn0.2Cd0.8S/CoFe2O4/rGO S-scheme heterojunction for synergistically improved photocatalytic H2 production

Abstract

In photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, which is an encouraging way for the sustainable production of hydrogen fuels, the design of S-scheme photocatalysts is conceded as an efficacious technique by promoting the light absorption capacity, providing easy separation of photocarriers and powerful redox talent. Here, we designed and fabricated n-p-n Mn0.2Cd0.8S/CoFe2O4/rGO heterojunction nanocomposite for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The n-p-n Mn0.2Cd0.8S/CoFe2O4/rGO S-scheme heterostructure supplies a photocatalytic hydrogen generation yield of 133.5 mu mol g-1 h-1, which is about 78.53, 34.50 and 8.09 times greater than that of CoFe2O4, rGO and Mn0.2Cd0.8S, sequentially. The boosted photocatalytic hydrogen production efficiency is ascribed to S scheme charge separation in the Mn0.2Cd0.8S/CoFe2O4/rGO heterostructure, which enables influential separation of photocarriers and obstruction of recombination. This study targets to provision new viewpoints on the pro-duction of bimetallic sulfide-based photocatalysts via superb photocatalytic performance, and steadiness for hydrogen evolution applications.