Robust Co₉S₈@CdIn₂S₄ Cage\nfor Efficient Photocatalytic H₂ Evolution

Abstract

We\nconstruct here a highly active and stable Co₉S₈@CdIn₂S₄ heterostructure for photocatalytic\nH₂ evolution under visible light. In a hierarchical hollow\nconstruction with closely connected heterogeneous shells, two photoactive\nsulfide semiconductors are incorporated rationally. This unique architecture\ncan efficiently allow photoinduced charges to be separated and transferred\nand provide a broad surface area and exposure of rich sites for photocatalytic\nredox reactions. The Co₉S₈@CdIn₂S₄ hierarchical hollow heterostructure shows enhanced light-harvesting\nability and remarkable catalytic activity because of its distinctive\nstructural and compositional advantages. The photocatalyst shows a\nhigh hydrogen evolution rate of 4604 μmol h^–1 g^–1 without any noble metal as a cocatalyst under\n1.5 AM simulated light irradiation. In this work, using the two-dimensional\nultrathin subunits with distinct structural and compositional benefits,\nwe show how this material can be interfaced successfully to give intriguing\nphotophysical properties.