A flexible bio-inspired H2-production photocatalyst

- A flexible bio-inspired Zn0.5Cd0.5S@PAN photocatalyst was prepared.
- The Zn0.5Cd0.5S@PAN exhibits high photocatalytic H2-production activity.
- Hierarchically porous structure enhances molecular diffusion/transfer kinetics.
- Multiple reflection and scattering effect promote light utilization efficiency.
- The integrity and flexibility ensure their separation and re-use.

Photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water splitting offers a viable potential solution for utilizing solar energy. Here we report a feasible synthesis of flexible bio-inspired Zn0.5Cd0.5S@PAN (polyacrylonitrile) mat-shaped photocatalyst with leaf-like structure, which shows high photocatalytic H2-production activity with a rate of 475 μmol h−1 per 50 mg of the photocatalyst and an apparent quantum efficiency of 27.4% at 420 nm. The hierarchically porous structure of the mat-shaped Zn0.5Cd0.5S@PAN greatly enhances the molecular diffusion/transfer kinetics, and enlarges the utilization efficiency of light through the multiple reflections and scattering effect. Moreover, a good dispersion of Zn0.5Cd0.5S nanoparticles (NPs) on the surface of PAN nanofibers prevents their aggregation. These features account for high H2-production activity of Zn0.5Cd0.5S@PAN. Remarkably, the integrity and flexibility of Zn0.5Cd0.5S@PAN mat-shaped photocatalyst facilitate their separation and re-use after photocatalytic reaction. Hierarchically porous leaf-like mat-shaped photocatalysts with high photocatalytic activity and stability should also find potential applications in solar cells, catalysis, separation and purification processes.

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