Facile Preparation of a Co3O4/Mn0.5Cd0.5S Heterojunction with Highly Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Production

The development of low-cost, visible-light-responsive, high-efficiency catalysts for hydrogen production from photolyzed water is significant and challenging. In this study, a Co3O4/Mn0.5Cd0.5S heterojunction was synthesized by a facile stirring process. Through an electrostatic adsorption effect, Mn0.5Cd0.5S nanoparticles were tightly loaded on the Co3O4 surface. The introduction of Co3O4 enhanced the light absorption capacity of Mn0.5Cd0.5S and improved the photogenerated carrier separation efficiency. The Co3O4/Mn0.5Cd0.5S photocatalyst loaded with 30 wt% Co3O4 (COMCS-30) had the most excellent hydrogen production capacity, reaching 2696.6 & mu;mol g(-1) h(-1), which was 5.2 times higher than that of Mn0.5Cd0.5S and 3.2 times that of Mn0.5Cd0.5S loaded with Pt (1.5 wt% Pt), respectively. In addition, the apparent quantum yield at 420 nm is 8.71%. Finally, based on related experimental results, a rational reaction mechanism is proposed. Obviously, this work shows that low-cost Co3O4, as an effective auxiliary catalyst, can replace noble metals for visible light catalytic hydrogen production in Mn0.5Cd0.5S solid solution.