A novel hierarchical S-scheme heterojunction of 0D/3D Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S nanoparticles/hollow micro-flower MoS₂ for improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Heterojunctions with specialized surface morphologic structures could remarkably promote the photocatalytic efficiency of catalysts on account of the suitable component contents. In this study, a novel 3D MoS₂ structure of hollow micro-flower is fabricated via the template method, on which 0D Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S (ZnCdS) nanoparticles are in-situ grown, forming a unique MoS₂/Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S (M/ZCS) hierarchical structure. Using 10 vol% lactic acids as the sacrificial agent, the uppermost hydrogen evolution efficiency of 10% M/ZCS is 33.8 mmol‧g⁻¹‧h⁻¹, which is around 16 times and 786 times higher than that of single ZnCdS (2.1 mmol‧g⁻¹‧h⁻¹) and MoS₂ (0.043 mmol‧g⁻¹‧h⁻¹). Furthermore, the apparent improvement in photocatalytic performance is mainly ascribed to the construction of the M/ZCS hierarchical structure, which resultful inhibits the agglomeration of ZnCdS nanoparticles, increases the availability of visible light, and shortens the transfer distance of carriers. Meanwhile, the S-Scheme heterojunction formed between ZnCdS and MoS₂ significantly promotes the transfer and separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. This paper provides a novel strategy for the further synthesis of high-performance photocatalysts with hollow architecture and significant heterojunction for hydrogen evolution.