Reasonable design of roman cauliflower photocatalyst Cd0.8Zn0.2S, high-efficiency visible light induced hydrogen generation.

Previous reports indicate that the catalyst Cd_xZn_1−xS shows good activity and reliability in the process of photocatalytic hydrogen production. However, it is still a challenge to design a cost-effective catalyst to replace the traditional Cd_xZn_1−xS. In this work, Roman broccoli Cd_0.8Zn_0.2S-2 was successfully prepared through reasonable adjustment and control of the amount of raw materials. In the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution test, the amount of hydrogen evolution of CZS-2 was 1.24, 1.34, 2.06, and 2.24 times that of CZS-1, CZS-3, CZS-4, and CZS-5, respectively. This is because Cd_0.8Zn_0.2S-2 has more excellent synergy inside. Theoretical and experimental studies show that, based on rational design, the optical and electrical properties of the CZS-2 structure have been substantially improved (based on UV–Visible diffusion and photoluminescence). The mechanism of the study shows that the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of CZS-2 is effectively improved due to the favorable energy band of effective charge transfer inside CZS-2. In this work, Roman broccoli-like CZS-2 provides a new research direction for photocatalytic water decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]