Synthesis of CdS/MoS₂ Nanooctahedrons Heterostructure with a Tight Interface for Enhanced Photocatalytic H₂ Evolution and Biomass Upgrading

Abstract

With the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental contamination, photocatalytic H 2 production has become an essential issue. Co‐catalysts play a critical role in improving photocatalytic H 2 generation of photocatalysts. However, co‐catalysts frequently need additional synthesis steps for loading on the surface of photocatalysts, and the interface contact between the co‐catalyst and the photocatalyst is insufficient. Herein, a CdS/MoS 2 nanooctahedron heterostructure is prepared through the in situ sulfidation of CdMoO 4 nanooctahedrons. MoS 2 as the co‐catalyst provides active sites for H 2 generation and enhances the separation of photo‐generated carriers. Furthermore, the sulfidation of CdMoO 4 precursors ensures a tight contact interface by S atoms between CdS and MoS 2 , which is beneficial to the electrons transfer from CdS to MoS 2 , thus markedly improving the photocatalytic H 2 evolution activity. The obtained optimum CdS/MoS 2 nanooctahedrons exhibit a better photocatalytic H 2 generation activity than those of pure CdS, pure MoS 2 , and even CdS/MoS 2 by hydrothermal synthesis under visible light irradiation. In addition, solar‐driven biomass upgrading of furfural alcohol, bacterial cellulose membrane, bioplastic wastes upgrading of polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and their reforming to H 2 are also performed and demonstrate an inexpensive route to drive aqueous proton reduction to H 2 through waste biomass oxidation.