The development of low-cost semiconductor photocatalysts for highly efficient and durable photocatalytic H2 evolution under visible light is very challenging.In this study,we combine low-cost metallic Ni3C cocatalysts...The development of low-cost semiconductor photocatalysts for highly efficient and durable photocatalytic H2 evolution under visible light is very challenging.In this study,we combine low-cost metallic Ni3C cocatalysts with twin nanocrystal Zn0.5Cd0.5S(ZCS)solid solution homojunctions for an efficient visible-light-driven H2 production by a simple approach.As-synthesized Zn0.5Cd0.5S-1%Ni3C(ZCS-1)heterojunction/homojunction nanohybrid exhibited the highest photocatalytic H2-evolution rate of 783μmol h‒1 under visible light,which is 2.88 times higher than that of pristine twin nanocrystal ZCS solid solution.The apparent quantum efficiencies of ZCS and ZCS-1 are measured to be 6.13%and 19.25%at 420 nm,respectively.Specifically,the homojunctions between the zinc blende and wurtzite segments in twin nanocrystal ZCS solid solution can significantly improve the light absorption and separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs.Furthermore,the heterojunction between ZCS and metallic Ni3C NP cocatalysts can efficiently trap excited electrons from ZCS solid solution and enhance the H2-evolution kinetics at the surface for improving catalytic activity.This study demonstrates a unique one-step strategy for constructing heterojunction/homojunction hybrid nanostructures for a more efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution compared to other noble metal photocatalytic systems.展开更多
文摘The development of low-cost semiconductor photocatalysts for highly efficient and durable photocatalytic H2 evolution under visible light is very challenging.In this study,we combine low-cost metallic Ni3C cocatalysts with twin nanocrystal Zn0.5Cd0.5S(ZCS)solid solution homojunctions for an efficient visible-light-driven H2 production by a simple approach.As-synthesized Zn0.5Cd0.5S-1%Ni3C(ZCS-1)heterojunction/homojunction nanohybrid exhibited the highest photocatalytic H2-evolution rate of 783μmol h‒1 under visible light,which is 2.88 times higher than that of pristine twin nanocrystal ZCS solid solution.The apparent quantum efficiencies of ZCS and ZCS-1 are measured to be 6.13%and 19.25%at 420 nm,respectively.Specifically,the homojunctions between the zinc blende and wurtzite segments in twin nanocrystal ZCS solid solution can significantly improve the light absorption and separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs.Furthermore,the heterojunction between ZCS and metallic Ni3C NP cocatalysts can efficiently trap excited electrons from ZCS solid solution and enhance the H2-evolution kinetics at the surface for improving catalytic activity.This study demonstrates a unique one-step strategy for constructing heterojunction/homojunction hybrid nanostructures for a more efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution compared to other noble metal photocatalytic systems.
