Diethylenetriamine-Functionalized CdS Nanoparticles Decorated on Cu₂S Snowflake Microparticles for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

Constructing a cocatalyst-free semiconductor catalyst with high catalytic efficiency has great significance to photocatalytic hydrogen (H₂) production. Herein, by incorporating diethylenetriamine (DETA) into inorganic materials (CdS), an organic–inorganic hybrid, CdS-DETA (CD), and a snowflake-like Cu₂S p–n heterojunction were designed by the hydrothermal synthesis method. The photocatalytic H₂ generation rate of Cu₂S/CD (CU/CD) can reach 9.00 mmol·g^–1·h^–1, which is 1.25, 5.03, and 6.12 times higher than that of H₂ produced by Pt/CD, CD, and CdS nanorods (CdS NRs), respectively. Under the action of the organic molecule DETA, the photocorrosion of CdS is effectively inhibited. The Cu₂S snowflakes and the organic–inorganic hybrid CD tight-contact interface and the p–n heterojunction improve the charge separation efficiency in the composite and enhance the photocatalytic activity. This work designed a type of photocatalyst heterojunction to provide an effective strategy for turning solar energy into a green and clean energy.