MoS2/graphene cocatalyst for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution under visible light irradiation.

Exploiting noble-metal-free cocatalysts is of huge interest for photocatalytic water splitting using solar energy. Here we report a composite material consisting of CdS nanocrystals grown on the suface of a nanosized MoS2/graphene hybrid as a high-performance noble-metal-free photocatalyst for H2 evolution under visible light irradiation. Through the optimizing of each component proportion, the MoS2/G-CdS composite showed the highest photocatalytic H2 production activity when the content of the MoS2/graphene cocatalyst is 2.0 wt % and the molar ratio of MoS2 to graphene is 1:2. The photocatalytic H2 evolution activity of the proposed MoS2/G-CdS composite was tested and compared in Na2S-Na2SO3 solution and lactic acid solution. A 1.8 mmol/h H2 evolution rate in lactic acid solution corresponding to an AQE of 28.1% at 420 nm is not only higher than the case in Na2S-Na2SO3 solution of 1.2 mmol/h but also much higher than that of Pt/CdS in lactic acid solution. The relative mechanism has been investigated. It is believed that this kind of MoS2/G-CdS composite would have great potential as a promising photocatalyst with high efficiency and low cost for photocatalytic H2 evolution reaction.