CdS/CuCo2S4 dots-on-rods boosting charge separation and hydrogen evolution

Herein, we report a new class of CdS/CuCo 2 S 4 dots-on-rods nanostructures that exhibit efficient visible-light-induced H 2 evolution from water. The material CuCo 2 S 4 nanodots over CdS nanorods are fabricated through controlled loading in a facile hydrothermal process and formed a heterojunction , maximizing the energy conversion, that shows advanced performance in photochemical H 2 evolution (rate: 33.32 mmol g −1 h −1 and AQY: 13.2% at λ = 420 ± 15 nm) from water. The experimental and theoretical results on physical and chemical properties revealed that the photocatalytic system is positively correlated with the H 2 production rate and suggest that CuCo 2 S 4 nanodots in CdS nanorods plays a critical role in relative efficiency of the H 2 generation. The surprisingly high activity was attributed to enhanced charge carriers' separation and transfer efficiency, confirmed by the kinetic measurements (TAS) and further reinforced from the Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) analysis and theoretical understanding. • The newly developed CdS/CuCo 2 S 4 was prepared by two-step hydrothermal process. • CuCo 2 S 4 nanodots decorated on CdS nanorods forms nano-heterojunction. • CdS/CuCo 2 S 4 system exhibited H 2 evolution rate of 33.32 mmol g −1 h −1 . • Structural and electronic properties were computed by DFT studies. • TAS indicates fast charge separation across CdS/CuCo 2 S 4 hetero-junction.