Optimal d-band-Induced Cu3N as Cocatalyst on Metal Sulfide for Boosting Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

The development of highly active and non-noble cocatalysts is crucial for sustainable hydrogen (H2) generation through photocatalytic water splitting. Herein, Cu3N nanocrystals (~15 nm) has been first used as a cocatalyst coupled with CdS for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution with the rate of ~4512 μmol g-1h-1, achieving a dramatic improvement of 851-fold compared to bare CdS. Mechanistic studies revealed that the appropriate d-band center of Cu3N (-1.875 eV) with promoted photogenerated charge carriers kinetics induced its intrinsic activity, as a result of the balance between the adsorption and desorption of H species.