Loading Co₃N nanoparticles as efficient cocatalysts over Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S for enhanced H₂ evolution under visible light

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Photocatalytic water splitting is crucial for sustainable hydrogen production.
• Developing efficient, noble-metal-free co-catalysts is a key challenge.
• Cadmium zinc sulfide (Cd0.5Zn0.5S) shows promise but requires enhancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and evaluate cobalt nitride (Co3N) nanoparticles as co-catalysts for Cd0.5Zn0.5S.
• To investigate the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of the composite material.
• To optimize the co-catalyst loading for maximum efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Facile synthesis of Co3N nanoparticles.
• Decoration of Co3N onto Cd0.5Zn0.5S to form composite materials.
• Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution measurements under visible light irradiation.
• Apparent quantum yield (AQY) determination.

Main Results:

• The Co3N(2 wt%)/Cd0.5Zn0.5S composite exhibited the highest photocatalytic H2 evolution activity.
• Achieved a H2 evolution rate of 160.7 mmol h-1 g-1 in Na2S/Na2SO3 solution, 25 times higher than pure Cd0.5Zn0.5S.
• Reached a H2 production rate of 218.8 mmol h-1 g-1 and an AQY of 30.2% at 420 nm in a different solution composition.

Conclusions:

• Co3N nanoparticles are highly effective noble-metal-free co-catalysts for Cd0.5Zn0.5S.
• The Co3N/Cd0.5Zn0.5S composite demonstrates significantly enhanced photocatalytic water splitting performance.
• This study offers a promising strategy for developing efficient and cost-effective photocatalysts.