Engineering of 2D/2D MoS₂/Cd_<i>x</i>Zn_1−<i>x</i>S Photocatalyst for Solar H₂ Evolution Coupled with Degradation of Plastic in Alkaline Solution

Abstract

Sufficiently utilizing photogenerated electron/hole pairs for a coupled redox enables green, sustainable, and low‐cost photocatalysis. Herein, a series of MoS 2 /Cd x Zn 1− x S photocatalysts with uniform 2D/2D structure are reported for solar water–reductive H 2 products coupled with the degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. The MoS 2 /Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S heterojunction with a loading mass of 4.3 wt% MoS 2 exhibits the best H 2 evolution rate of 15.90 mmol g −1 h −1 in an aqueous solution due to its appropriate redox ability, great light absorption, and carrier separation abilities. Then, the oxidation products of PET are analyzed by 1 H‐NMR spectroscopy, which demonstrates the PET being efficiently degraded to molecule compounds, such as formate and acetate. The work provides a feasible solution to the problem of plastic pollution and meets the demand for sustainable clean energy simultaneously.