Engineering Zn_1–xCd_xS/CdS Heterostructures with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Various porous Zn_1–xCd_xS/CdS heteorostructures were achieved via in situ synthesis method with organic amines as the templates. Because of the larger radius of Cd²⁺ than that of Zn²⁺, CdS quantum dots are formed and distributed uniformly in the network of Zn_1–xCd_xS. The Zn_1–xCd_xS/CdS heterostructure with small Cd content (10 at%) derived from ethylenediamine shows very high H₂-evolution rate of 667.5 μmol/h per 5 mg photocatalyst under visible light (λ ≥ 420 nm) with an apparent quantum efficiency of 50.1% per 5 mg at 420 nm. Moreover, this Zn_1–xCd_xS/CdS heterostructure photocatalyst also shows an excellent photocatalytic stability over 100 h.