Visible light driven HSr2Nb3O10/CdS heterojunctions for high hydrogen evolution activity
Abstract In this study, layered perovskite HSr2Nb3O10 ultrathin nanosheets (HSNO ns) was successfully exfoliated within 2 h by a facile microwave assisted method. Then, HSNO ns/CdS heterojunction was fabricated through a facile hydrothermal route for deposition of CdS nanoparticles on HSNO ns. The photocatalytic performances of composites were systematically investigated and discussed by varying the CdS content. The results illustrated that the photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of HSNO ns were significantly increased by coupled CdS nanoparticles on the HSNO ns. The optimized HSNO ns/CdS3 composites without noble metal showed highest photocatalytic activity, which was about 8.38 times and 330 times higher than that of pristine CdS and HSNO ns, respectively, under the visible light irradiation =420 nm) using triethanolamine as sacrificial agent. The enhanced photocatalytic H2 production activity was predominantly attributed to the strong optical absorption capacity, high specific surface area and improved charge carrier separation efficiency. Our present work provides a new pathway into the design of two dimension nanosheets based photocatalysts and promotes their practical application in various environmental and energy issues.