Hollow heterostructure CoS/CdS photocatalysts with enhanced charge transfer for photocatalytic hydrogen production from seawater

In recent years, there have been many studies on photocatalytic water splitting, but there are still few high-efficiency photocatalysts for photocatalytic seawater splitting. In this study, a series of hollow Co sulphide-supported CdS catalyst (H–CoS/CdS) composite photocatalysts were prepared by loading CdS onto the surface of H–CoS, which can be used for efficient H2 production in pure water and simulated seawater. The heterojunction H–CoS/CdS exhibited H2 production of 572.4 μmol g−1 (4 h) from simulated seawater, which is 97.7 and 2.96 times those of H–CoS and CdS, respectively. The h-CoS cocatalyst extended the light absorption range of CdS, improved the chemical stability, and significantly enhances the charge separation efficiency. This study provides guidance for the reasonable design of a photocatalytic seawater-based H2 production catalyst with high efficiency and low cost.