Mn0.2Cd0.8S polyhedra modified with Ni(HCO3)2 nanosheets for enhanced visible light-driven photocatalytic H2 evolution.

Modification with efficient, stable and low-cost co-catalyst has been considered as a promising way to upgrade photocatalytic property of Mn x Cd 1−x S. Herein, Ni(HCO 3) 2 nanosheets were loaded on polyhedral Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S (MCS) surface through an in-situ hydrothermal method. As-prepared MCS/Ni(HCO 3) 2 composites exhibited the boosted H 2 evolution activities. The optimal H 2 evolution rate (17.7 mmol g−1 h−1) with the calculated AQE value (17.5%) at 420 nm was achieved over the MCS/Ni(HCO 3) 2 composite with 10 mol% loading amount of Ni(HCO 3) 2 , which reached 4.0 times of MCS alone. The boosted activity could be ascribed to highly efficient interfacial charge separation and abundant surface active site derived from the structural and functional advantages of MCS/Ni(HCO 3) 2 composite. This work gives a fresh perspective on the design and application of transition metal bicarbonate as co-catalysts towards H 2 evolution. [Display omitted] A novel Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S/Ni(HCO 3) 2 composite was fabricated and exhibited the enhanced H 2 evolution activity due to excellent charge separation efficiency and abundant surface active site. • Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S/Ni(HCO 3) 2 composite was in-situ constructed. • Interfacial contact between two component accelerated charge separation. • Ni(HCO 3) 2 co-catalysts provided abundant active reaction sites. • Co-catalyst modification was responsible for the enhanced H 2 evolution activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]