Construction of 3D/0D S_v-ReS₂/ZnCdS hierarchical structure with improved interfacial charge transfer for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

The fast carrier complexation rate and the low utilization efficiency of photogenerated electrons are the most important factors affecting the performances of photocatalysts. In this paper, 3D globular ReS₂ with S defects (S_v-ReS₂) is combined with 0D ZnCdS nanoparticles to construct a 3D/0D S_v-ReS₂/ZnCdS hierarchical structure. It is demonstrated that the constructed S_v-ReS₂/ZnCdS materials have superior interfacial electron transfer, which can effectively inhibit carrier complexation and enhance the separation efficiency of carriers. Meanwhile, 15 wt%S_v-ReS₂/ZnCdS exhibited a photocatalytic hydrogen production performance of 7295 μmol/g/h, which is 3.5 times than that of a single ZnCdS photocatalyst (2103 μmol/g/h). The 3D spherical S_v-ReS₂ with S defects and distinct trion behavior can provide more active sites for photocatalytic reactions and establish two-electron catalytic reactions, and the close-contact heterojunction interfaces formed within ZnCdS and S_v-ReS₂ can also effectively promote the separation and transfer of electrons and holes. This paper provides some ideas for the rational use of cocatalysts to construct high-performance photocatalysts with excellent interfacial electron transfer.