Synthesis of MoS2/CdS nanospheres enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light

In this study, CdS nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method and MoS2/CdS photocatalytic composite materials were synthesized by solvent-thermal method, which was applied to hydrogen evolution under visible light. The crystal phase structure of samples was characterized by XRD. The composition and chemical valence of the sample were analyzed and determined by XPS and EDS. The morphology and structure of the catalyst were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The photocatalytic properties were characterized by UV–Vis spectrophotometer, fluorescence emission spectrogram, and photocurrent experiment. The highest hydrogen production of MoS2/CdS (7 wt%) composite photocatalyst was about 2480 μmol after 4 h illumination. After 5 cycles, the photocatalyst of MoS2/CdS (7 wt%) composites were stable for hydrogen production within 20 h, indicating that the catalyst had good stability. The primary mechanism of hydrogen production by MoS2/CdS composite as photocatalyst was proposed.