Optimizing intrinsic cocatalyst activity and light absorption efficiency for efficient hydrogen evolution of 1D/2D ReS_(2)-CdS photocatalysts via control of ReS_(2)nanosheet layer growth

The visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution is extremely important,but the poor charge transfer capa-bility,a sluggish evolution rate of hydrogen,and severe photo-corrosion make photocatalytic hydrogen evolution impractical.In this study,we present 1D/2D ReS_(2)-CdS hybrid nanorods for photocatalytic hy-drogen evolution,comprised of a ReS_(2)nanosheet layer grown on CdS nanorods.We found that precise control of the contents of the ReS_(2)nanosheet layer allows for manipulating the electronic structure of Re in the ReS_(2)-CdS hybrid nanorods.The ReS_(2)-CdS hybrid nanorods with optimal ReS_(2)nanosheet layer content dramatically improve photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity.Notably,photocatalytic hydro-gen evolution activity(64.93 mmol g^(−1)h^(−1))of ReS_(2)-CdS hybrid nanorods with ReS_(2)nanosheet layers(Re/Cd atomic ratio of 0.051)is approximately 136 times higher than that of pure CdS nanorods under visible light irradiation.Furthermore,intimated coupling of the ReS_(2)nanosheet layer with CdS nanorods reduced the surface trap-site of the CdS nanorods,resulting in enhanced photocatalytic stability.The de-tailed optical and electrical investigations demonstrate that the optimal ReS_(2)nanosheet layer contents in the ReS_(2)-CdS hybrid nanorods can provide improved charge transfer capability,catalytic activity,and light absorption efficiency.This study sheds light on the development of photocatalysts for highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.