Hollow Co₃O₄/CdS Nanoparticles for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution and Photodegradation

Ultrathin hollow core-shellnano pn junction of Co3O4/CdS is fabricatedby chemical-calcination method. TheCo(3)O(4)/CdS nano pn junction (Co/Cd-3) exhibitsprominently enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (& SIM;6250.47 & mu;mol & BULL;g(-1)& BULL;h(-1))and photodegradation compared to those of Co3O4 (& SIM;90-fold/& SIM;35-fold) and CdS (& SIM;60-fold/& SIM;30-fold).Co3O4/CdS nano pn junction with greater potentialgradient and Co3O4 with higher absorption canameliorate the carrier efficiency, including transportation increasing,lifetime prolonging, and recombination decreasing. In addition, formedultrathin hollow nanostructure can increase photocatalytic activesites and light reflections and shorten carrier pathway, while stillmaintaining good stability.