Enhanced Spin-Polarized Electric Field Modulating p-Band Center on Ni-Doped CdS for Boosting Photocatalytic Hydrogen...

It is a challenge to regulate charge separation dynamics and redox reaction kinetics at the atomic level to synergistically boost photocatalytic hydrogen (H₂) evolution. Herein, a robust Ni-doped CdS (Ni-CdS) photocatalyst is synthesized by incorporating highly dispersed Ni atoms into the CdS lattice in substitution for Cd atoms. Combined characterizations with theoretical analysis indicate that local lattice distortion and S-vacancy of Ni-CdS induced by Ni incorporation lead to an increased dipole moment and enhanced spin-polarized electric field, which promotes the separation and transfer of photoinduced carriers. In this contribution, charge redistribution caused by enhanced internal electric field results in the downshift of the S p-band center, which is conducive to the desorption of intermediate H* for boosting the H₂ evolution reaction. Accordingly, the Ni-CdS photocatalyst shows a remarkably improved photocatalytic performance with an H₂ evolution rate of 20.28 mmol g^-1 h^-1 under visible-light irradiation, which is 5.58 times higher than that of pristine CdS. This work supplied an insightful understanding that the enhanced polarization electric field governs the p-band center for efficient photocatalytic H₂ evolution activity.