Rational design and facile in situ coupling non-noble metal Cd nanoparticles and CdS nanorods for efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic H-2 evolution

Non-noble metal Cd nanoparticles, as an efficient cocatalyst, are successfully constructed onto the surface of hexagonal CdS nanorods (CdS NRs) for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction by a facile in situ chemical reduction approach based on a thermal treatment process. The in situ introduction of Cd can significantly improve the photocatalytic H-2 production performance of CdS NRs in sodium sulfide and sodium sulfite aqueous solutions under visible light irradiation. The superior electrical conductivity of metallic Cd and the intimate interfacial contact between Cd and CdS NRs are suggested to account for the enhanced light absorption intensity, more efficient charge separation, and faster interfacial charge migration, resulting in the dramatically promoted photocatalytic H-2 production activity. This work provides a new route for the in situ deposition of Cd nano particles onto CdS and other Cd-containing semiconductor photocatalysts with desired morphologies.