An Efficient Noble-Metal-Free Photocatalyst for Visible-Light-Driven H2 Evolution: Cu/Ni-Codoped Cd0.5Zn0.5S Nanoplates

In the present work, Cu/Ni-codoped Cd05Zn0.5S nanoplates were synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal process. Meanwhile, photocatalytic H2 evolution from water over the as-prepared Cu/Ni-codoped Cd0.5Zn0.5S nanoplates was investigated under visible irradiation using Na2S and Na2SO3 as sacrificial reagents. The results indicate that the as-prepared Cu/Ni-codoped Cd0.5Zn0.5S nanoplates are an efficient photocatalyst for visible-light-driven H2 evolution from water, and there exists obvious synergy effect between Cu and Ni dopants. The photocatalytic activity of the Cd0.5Zn0.5S nanoplates can be significantly enhanced due to the introduction of Cu and Ni. Under optimal conditions, the H2 evolution rate over the Cu/Ni-codoped Cd0.5Zn0.5S nanoplates is up to 58.33 mmol h–1 g–1, which is 3.5 times higher than that over the pure Cd0.5Zn0.5S nanoplates. Finally, the photocatalytic mechanism was preliminarily discussed.