Constructing 1D hierarchical heterostructures of MoS2/In2S3 nanosheets on CdS nanorod arrays for enhanced photoelectrocatalytic H2 evolution

One-dimensional (1D) hierarchical heterostructures of MoS2/In2S3 nanosheets on CdS nanorod array (1D CdS@MoS2/In2S3) is prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. The morphological studies reveal that the CdS nanorod array is wrapped with vertically aligned MoS2/In2S3 nanosheets forming a CdS nanorod core-hierarchical MoS2/In2S3 shell hybrid structure. The hybrid nanosheets of MoS2/In2S3 integrate In-doped MoS2 to reduce the stacking and increase the surface area. Photoluminescence (PL) indicates that the CdS@MoS2/In2S3 heterostructure obviously enhances the electro-hole pair separation. Transient photocurrent (chronoamperometric) tests further corroborate the charge separation in CdS@MoS2/In2S3 hybrid with high photocurrent-density of 1.5-2.0 mA cm(-2) at relatively low bias potential of 0.14 V vs. RHE. By electrochemical measurements such as electrochemical impedance spectroscope (EIS) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) with or without light illumination, we find that the CdS@MoS2/In2S3 exhibits higher efficiency for photoelectrocatalytic activities than that of either pristine CdS nanorods or CdS@MoS2 (or CdS@In2S3) nanostructures. The maximally exposed In-doping MoS2 edges, together with the junctions formed among CdS, MoS2 and In2S3, is supposed to be mainly responsible for the enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity of CdS@MoS2/In2S3. 1D CdS@MoS2/In2S3 nanoarrays with integration of electro-and photocatalytic activity provides a new avenue toward the electrocatalytic H-2 production with the assistance of visible light in practical applications. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.