Hollow CuCo2O4–Mn0.2Cd0.8S double-shell nanospheres for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production activity

The development of efficient composite photocatalyst to decompose water and produce hydrogen utilizing solar energy is the important measure to achieve carbon neutrality. Herein, hollow CuCo2O4 double-shell nanospheres were obtained by calcination in air, and then modified with Mn0.2Cd0.8S in different mass ratios to obtain hollow CuCo2O4–Mn0.2Cd0.8S double-shell nanospheres. When the mass ratio of CuCo2O4 and Mn0.2Cd0.8S was 1:10, the photocatalytic hydrogen production rate reached to 25.17 mmol g−1 h−1 without noble metal cocatalyst. The high photocatalytic performance of CuCo2O4–Mn0.2Cd0.8S benefited from the hollow structure of CuCo2O4 and the formation of type-I heterostructure, which increased the utilization rate of visible light, accelerated the electrons transfer and reduced the recombination of electron and hole. Meanwhile, CuCo2O4 nanospheres provided the support for Mn0.2Cd0.8S and reduced the agglomeration phenomenon of Mn0.2Cd0.8S, thus exhibiting good photostability. This research provided a new insight for constructing efficient hollow composite photocatalyst.