Characterization and mechanism of MoS2/CdS composite photocatalyst used for hydrogen production from water splitting under visible light

• The MoS2/CdS catalyst was synthesized through a green hydrothermal process.
• The strong interaction between MoS2 and CdS was demonstrated by XPS result.
• The composite photocatalyst reached a H2 production rate of 4.06 mmol g−1 h−1.
• H2 production rate of CdS was improved by 17 times by loading MoS2 on its surface.

A simple and feasible hydrothermal process was designed to synthesize MoS2/CdS composite catalyst. The surface morphology and crystal morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The surface chemical state, the chemical structure and the ultraviolet–visible light response were investigated by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS). The results revealed that MoS2 was uniformly loaded on the surface of CdS, and the XPS measurement discovered strong interactions between CdS and MoS2. The intimate contact is beneficial for the enhancement of the photocatalytic activity. By loading 2.0 wt% MoS2 on CdS, the hydrogen production rate of CdS was enhanced by 17 times. The maximal hydrogen production rate of the composite catalyst reached 4.06 mmol g−1 h−1 under visible light irradiation.

MoS2 was successfully loaded on CdS through a green hydrothermal process and the hydrogen production activity of CdS was improved by 17 times because of the strong interaction between MoS2 and CdS.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide