CdS–mesoporous ZnS core–shell particles for efficient and stable photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light

Abstract

A mesoporous ZnS shell is in situ grown on a CdS core through a one-pot surfactant-free hydrothermal route. Due to the mesoporous ZnS shell and the unique spatial distribution of the photoexcited charge carriers in the CdS–ZnS core–shell particles, the hydrogen evolution rate over CdS–ZnS is 169 and 56 times higher than that of ZnS and CdS under visible light, respectively. Moreover, the core–shell particles show excellent photocatalytic stability over 60 h.