1D-2D Z-scheme junction by coupling CaTiO3 rectangular nanorods with CdS nanosheets enhances photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

• Published in: Molecular catalysis 2025-01, Vol.570, p.114701, Article 114701
• Main Authors: Zhang, Wuxia, Xiong, Jinyan, Li, Shaozhong, Li, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CdS; Charge separation; Perovskite MTiO3; Photocatalytic H2 evolution; Z-scheme heterojunction
• ISSN: 2468-8231; 2468-8231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mcat.2024.114701

•MTiO3 (M=Ca, Sr, Ni)/CdS hybrids are prepared by a general approach.•MTiO3 (M=Ca, Sr, Ni)/CdS hybrids exhibit enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution.•CaTiO3/CdS hybrid enhances light absorption and photogenerated electrons-holes separation.•Z-scheme heterojunction formed between CaTiO3 and CdS played an essential role in charge transfer. Designing and developing Z-scheme photocatalytic system for highly efficient hydrogen production through water splitting is a prospective strategy to alleviate energy and environmental issues. Herein, CaTiO3/CdS nanocomposites have been synthesized by a simple solvothermal method, in which CaTiO3 and CdS present rectangular nanorods and nanosheet-like morphologies, respectively. The optimized 60%-CaTiO3/CdS composite exhibits a remarkable photocatalytic performance with H2 evolution rate of ∼12,381.80 μmol·g-1·h-1, and it is 1.9 and 124 times higher than that of single CdS and CaTiO3, respectively. Photoluminescence (PL), photocurrent, and electrochemical impedance measurements confirm boosted interfacial charge separation within CaTiO3/CdS photocatalyst. Notably, as verified by the band structures, XPS analysis and fluorescence probe experiments, the intimate Z-scheme heterojunction interface constructed between two components plays a critical role in promoting the separation of photogenerated e-/h+ pairs and retaining superior redox capabilities, thus leading to enhanced H2 evolution performance. Moreover, this synthetic method could be applied to other MTiO3 (M = Sr and Ni) type semiconductors in accelerating the photocatalytic H2 production. It is anticipated this work could offer a reference for rationally designing and constructing perovskite-based composite catalysts with improved solar-to-hydrogen conversion. [Display omitted]