CdS-POM nanosheets for highly efficient visible-light-driven H₂ evolution

Photocatalytic splitting of water to produce hydrogen is a potential solution to alleviate environmental pollution and the energy crisis. It is shown here that H3PMo12O40 (PMo12) as a co-catalyst with CdS nanosheets can form a well-designed composite photocatalyst without the aid of precious metals by microwave synthesis. A small loading of PMo12 (1.8% Mo) exhibits highly efficient photocatalytic performance with a maximum hydrogen production of 5.7 mmol h(-1) g(-1), nearly six times higher than that of isolated CdS nanosheets. The charge transfer process in the photocatalytic system was further confirmed by XPS analysis, where PMo12 accelerated the separation of photogenerated carriers, shortened the charge transfer distance and substantially enhanced the photogeneration efficiency and stability of water cleavage to hydrogen. This combination of polyoxometalates and CdS has promising applications and provides a new way to develop efficient and novel photocatalysts for sustainable solar energy utilization strategies.