Constructing low-cost Ni3C/twin-crystal Zn0.5Cd0.5S heterojunction/homojunction nanohybrids for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution

The development of low-cost semiconductor photocatalysts for highly efficient and durable photocatalytic H2 evolution under visible light is very challenging. In this study, we combine metallic Ni3C cocatalysts with twin nanocrystal Zn0.5Cd0.5S (ZCS) solid solution homojunctions an visible-light-driven production by a simple approach. As-synthesized Zn0.5Cd0.5S-1% (ZCS-1) heterojunction/homojunction nanohybrid exhibited the highest H2-evolution rate 783 μmol h-1 light, which 2.88 times higher than that pristine ZCS solution. apparent quantum efficiencies ZCS-1 are measured to be 6.13% 19.25% at 420 nm, respectively. Specifically, between zinc blende wurtzite segments in can significantly improve absorption separation photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Furthermore, heterojunction NP efficiently trap excited electrons from enhance kinetics surface improving catalytic activity. This study demonstrates unique one-step strategy constructing hybrid nanostructures more compared other noble metal systems.