BiOI-promoted nano-on-micro BiOI-MoS 2 /CdS system for high-performance on photocatalytic H 2 evolution under visible light irradiation

Abstract The nano-on-micro heterostructure photocatalyst BiOI-MoS 2 /CdS was synthesized through facile in-situ hydrothermal and solvothermal growth methods. The heterostructures formed between BiOI, MoS 2 and CdS realized a step-wise electron transfer process, thus reducing the charge recombination effectively. The light absorption range of the composite was expanded with the incorporation of BiOI. The specimen acts out a state-of-the-art hydrogen evolution of 14000 μmol/g/h under visible light ( λ  > 420 nm), which was far exceeding MoS 2 /CdS (460 μmol/g/h) by a factor of 30. BiOI is firstly applied to promote photocatalytic water splitting into hydrogen. What's more, the cost of photocatalytic water splitting into hydrogen will be greatly reduced by replacing noble metal cocatalyst with MoS 2. The opportunities for developing low-cost efficient photocatalysts for water splitting may be opened because of this discovery.