Core-shell particles of C-doped CdS and graphene: A noble metal-free approach for efficient photocatalytic H2 generation

To achieve efficient photocatalytic H-2 generation from water using earth-abundant and cost-effective materials, a simple synthesis method for carbon-doped CdS particles wrapped with graphene (C-doped CdS@G) is reported. The doping effect and the application of graphene as co-catalyst for CdS is studied for photocatalytic H-2 generation. The most active sample consists of CdS and graphene (CdS-0.15G) exhibits promising photocatalytic activity, producing 3.12 mmol g(-1) h(-1) of H-2 under simulated solar light which is similar to 4.6 times superior than pure CdS nanoparticles giving an apparent quantum efficiency (AQY) of 11.7%. The enhanced photocatalytic activity for H-2 generation is associated to the narrowing of the bandgap, enhanced light absorption, fast interfacial charge transfer, and higher carrier density (ND) in C-doped CdS@G samples. This is achieved by C doping in CdS nanoparticles and the formation of a graphene shell over the C-doped CdS nanoparticles. After stability test, the spent catalysts sample was also characterized to investigate the nanostructure. (C) 2020, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.