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Article

CoSe2 Clusters as Efficient Co-Catalyst Modified CdS Nanorod for Enhance Visible Light Photocatalytic H2 Evolution

by
Ruizhou Gan
1,2,3,
Xiaohua Ma
1,2,3,*,
Guorong Wang
1,2,3 and
Zhiliang Jin
1,2,3,*
1
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
2
Ningxia Key Laboratory of Solar Chemical Conversion Technology, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
3
Key Laboratory for Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Catalysts 2019, 9(7), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal9070616
Submission received: 7 June 2019 / Revised: 12 July 2019 / Accepted: 14 July 2019 / Published: 20 July 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Porous Materials for Photocatalysis and Energy)
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Versions Notes

Abstract

CoSe2, as a kind of co-catalyst, would replace noble metals element to dope pure CdS. The CoSe2/CdS photocatalyst could be synthesized by simple physical mixing. With the introduction of CoSe2, especially 30% CoSe2/CdS, hydrogen production would be about 500 μmol within 5 h, five times that of pure CdS under the same conditions. The CoSe2/CdS photocatalyst could bear four cycles of hydrogen evolution and sustain the hydrogen production, with a minor decrease. In other words, the electron transition velocity would surge along with the introduction of CoSe2 particles. The CoSe2 could be deemed as the predator and exit of electrons to inspire the detachment of the hole-electron pairs and relieve the recombination of the hole-electron pairs.

1. Introduction

A growing population and environmental deterioration face the challenge of energy diversity, instead of relying on fossil fuels. Although energy derived from fossil fuels is very strong, one cannot ignore the pollution and limited reversal of that existing in the world. Thus, mankind ought to discover some new forms of energy generation which can replace fossil fuels, resembling or even surpassing the nature of fossil energy. Recently, new energy sources, like water energy, wind energy, nuclear energy, and solar energy, have been exploited and used in everyday life, among which, solar energy and water energy are closely related to our life. As time went by, scientists came up with an idea to combine solar and water energy. Thus, except for seeking new materials, reflecting on the way of exploiting the existing resource is also an available path [1]. As the largest energy source in the world, water may soon become a promising exploitable energy source. Hydrogen, possessing four times as much fuel value as gasoline and merely leaving secure water as a secondary product, is a savior of the energy crisis in the future [2,3,4]. However, how to convert water into hydrogen is a confusing and troubling problem. As an exhaustless and low-cost energy, solar energy brings people the hope of sufficiently utilizing water resources. After several years, scientists believed solar energy could be stored relying on water. In 1972, Fujishima-Honda reported the hydrogen evolution effect of TiO2. From that day on, more and more achievements for photocatalyst applications have been reached [5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]. Nevertheless, the way to effectively transform solar energy into chemical energy has haunted scientists the entire way [13,14,15]. Therefore, photocatalysts are playing an indispensable role [16]. Unremitting efforts have been made on the study of photocatalysts ever since.
It has been found that noble metals are still the most efficient photocatalysts [17]. However, on account of the high price and intricate processing technology such metals possess, it would not be a sustainable way to squander pure noble metals. Then, metal sulfides drew the attention of scientists because of their visible-light-driven quality [18,19,20,21,22,23,24]. Recently, it is true that the transition-metal semiconductor CdS with a band gap of 2.4 eV embodies the potential for substituting the noble metal, featuring excellent photochemical instability and enhanced hydrogen evolution activity. Nevertheless, pure CdS usually does not show high activity in hydrogen evolution due to the quick recombination between electrons and holes, as well as the poor photocorrosion effect [25,26]. Normally, two key aspects play a vital role in the construction of hydrogen evolution systems. One is the aptly staggered band structure between semiconductors, and another is to create favorable condition for charge transfer and separation on the interface [27]. Scientists struggled to reduce the recombination between electron and hole or alleviate the photocorrosion effect. Doping other substances, such as noble metals [28,29,30,31,32], exhibited some prominent effect in a way. In addition, different structures and morphologies could affect hydrogen evolution a great deal [33].
These years, transition metal sulfides used as co-catalysts hve become an original method for supplementing noble metals [34,35,36,37]. Compared with pure noble metals as co-catalysts, transition metal sulfides have advantages of high efficiency and low price. Selenium, from the same family as sulfide, has similar character with sulfide [38]. That means transition metal selenides may well be a potential material for hydrogen evolution. The conduction band of CoSe2 would be between the conduction band and valence band of CdS, which would accelerate the charge transfer. In this study, CoSe2 was adopted to synthesize the photocatalyst by loading CoSe2 to CdS nanorods through a physical method. The photocatalyst we fabricated possessed excellent hydrogen evolution activity and stability, which was qualified to adapt to more unfavorable conditions.

2. Result and Discussion

Herein, the composite of CoSe2 and CdS is represented as CoSe2/CdS for the co-catalyst function of CoSe2 particles. Different ratios of CoSe2 and CdS are exhibited as x% CoSe2/CdS.
SEM was used to verify the morphology of CoSe2/CdS as presented in Figure 1. As vividly presented in Figure 1b, the CdS was of a rod-like character with a linear structure in spite of how compactly the CdS nanorods were stacked. When decorated by CoSe2, the CdS was still in the shape of a rod (Figure 1a). The CoSe2 loaded on the surface of the CdS rod would make the surface of the CdS much more rough and jammed. The jammed area on the surface of the CdS nanorod was assigned to the CoSe2 particles which confirmed the existence of active sites.
To further investigate and confirm the connection between CdS nanorods and CoSe2 particles, transition electron microscopy (TEM) was used and is shown in Figure 1. As speculated before, TEM of CoSe2/CdS suggested a tangible and transparent rod structure in Figure 1c, which was in line with SEM. Additionally, the square area on the surface of the CdS nanorod corresponded to CoSe2 particles, which indicated that the CoSe2 nanoparticles were definitely doped on the surface of CdS and the CoSe2/CdS compound was successfully synthesized.
Figure 1d showed the distribution of elements on the CoSe2/CdS. Apparently, the distribution of Se and Co were uniform, which certified the existence of CoSe2. On the other hand, the distribution of Cd and S were uniform and constitute like rod, which confirmed the successful synthesis of CdS nanorods. Additionally, we could deduce that the size of CoSe2 particles were not relatively smaller than that of CdS. The consequence was in accordance with SEM and TEM.
The HRTEM in Figure 1e showed the lattice fringe of the sample. We calculated the lattice pitch to verify the substance. As is vividly seen from the HRTEM, there are two kinds of lattice fringe in the picture. With further confirmation, 0.26 nm and 0.33 nm can be assigned to the (210) of CdS and (002) of CoSe2, respectively. This consequence was in accordance with subsequent XPS and XRD.
Considering the defect of XPS in that it could only detect the element on the surface of the sample, the EDX pattern is shown in Figure 1f. S, Cd, Se, and Co were all confirmed and compensated for the blurry peak of elements presented in XPS.
The X-ray diffraction pattern was used to exhibit the phase structure. Results of CdS, CoSe2, and CoSe2/CdS are shown in Figure 2. Observing the intense diffraction peaks of the XRD pattern, we could speculate about their high crystallinity. That is to say that the production was well crystalized as a consequence of hydrothermal treatment (JCPDS card no. 77-2306). The intense diffraction peaks corresponded to (100), (002), (101), (110), and (103) with crystals faced at 24.8°, 26.5°, 28.2°, 43.8°, 48.0°, respectively. Likewise, CoSe2 had three sharp peaks at 34.2°, 37.5°, and 51.7° corresponding to (210), (211), and (311), respectively. The consequence was in good coincidence with cubic phase CoSe2 (JCPDS card no. 09-0234). Afterwards, both CdS and CoSe2 could be identified in the 30% CoSe2/CdS, proving its definite existence and successful synthesis.
To investigate the UV–VIS absorption properties of the CoSe2/CdS photocatalyst, the UV–VIS DRS was tested and the consequence of pure CdS and CoSe2/CdS is shown in Figure 3. It could be distinctively speculated from Figure 3a that the pure CdS nanorod embraced the absorption edge of around 525 nm. When pure CoSe2 darkened, it absorbed the most light. After the introduction of CoSe2, the CoSe2/CdS composite requires a more sufficient degree of light-absorption capability. In addition, as CoSe2/CdS was doped with the CoSe2 particles, the absorption edge of CoSe2/CdS was slightly enhanced from 525 nm to 540 nm. The absorption intensity could be more obviously observed in the comparatively long wavelength. According to the Kubelka–Munk formula, the phenomenon occurred owing to the decrease of the band gap after the introduction of CoSe2 particles, which showed the composite would be more prone to absorb the solar energy under same wavelength than pure CdS. The phenomenon explains the evolution of hydrogen to some extent. Additionally, we can use the Kubelka–Munk function (Figure 3b) to obtain the band gap energy of CdS, CoSe2, and CoSe2/CdS, respectively. With the introduction of CoSe2, the band gap of CoSe2/CdS was lower than that of pure CdS, which meant the charge transfer would be easier.
For further studying the constituents of the CoSe2/CdS and verifying the elements on the surface, the XPS pattern was employed to present the contents of the catalyst. Figure 4a–d show the XPS spectra of Cd3d, S2p, Co2p, and Se3d, respectively. In Figure 4a, the main peaks of the Cd 3d5/2 and Cd 3d3/2 fell at 404.9 eV and 411.7 eV. Similarly shown in Figure 4b, the main peaks located at 161.1 eV and 162.1 eV correspond to S 2p3/2 and S 2p1/2 [39]. In the same way, the main peaks in Figure 4c, situated at 54.8 eV and 58.3 eV, correspond to Se 3d5/2 and Se 3d3/2 [40]. Finally, Figure 4d suggests that the two main peaks located at 794.68 eV and 779.3 eV, correspond to Co 2p3/2 and Co 2p1/2 [41]. The above characteristic peaks were all assigned to their corresponding elements. The result verified the existence of the pertinent elements. Therefore, the XPS specifically certified the existence of the CoSe2/CdS photocatalyst.
To study the photocatalytic property of the CoSe2/CdS system, the CoSe2/CdS system was adopted with different ratios ranging from 10% to 50% to explore the hydrogen evolution activity under continuous visible light irradiation. The single CoSe2 and CdS experiments were arranged to verify the relatively feeble hydrogen activity compared to the CoSe2 doped with CdS photocatalyst. As presented in Figure 5a, the CoSe2 could rarely produce H2 in a way, which indicated pure CoSe2 might not qualify as a semiconductor. Compared with pure CoSe2, pure CdS had a fairly high efficiency of hydrogen evolution at 10,000 μmol/g. After doping with CoSe2, the hydrogen evolution activity surged apparently. Although CoSe2 did not present any semiconductor property, it actually could be a co-catalyst with in cooperation with CdS nanorods. The introduction of CoSe2 particles would supply an exit for photogenerated electrons to accelerate the transition efficiency and present the phenomenon in the form of hydrogen evolution. Ranging from 10% to 50%, the increase of CoSe2 could enhance the hydrogen evolution quantity and culminate at a ratio of 30% (50,000 μmol/g). Afterwards, along with the increase of CoSe2, the hydrogen evolution activity declined instead. This sign indicated that the increase of CoSe2 might not merely increase the visible light absorption but also hamper the CdS nanorod from absorbing visible light. Thus, the hydrogen evolution quality reduced great deal.
On the other hand, the stability was also an essential trait which an excellent photocatalyst should possess. To solve the problem, the 30% CoSe2/CdS was applied to confirm this fact. As distinctively shown in Figure 5b, the hydrogen evolution activity was steady in the first three cycles. However, along with the consumption of the lactic acid, hydrogen evolution activity apparently started to decline in the fourth cycle. This was because the remaining lactic acid could not meet the demand of the steady hydrogen evolution as the former three cycles showed. Meanwhile, photocorrosion affected the structure of the original CdS. That is to say, the function of the original CdS or CoSe2 could not operate at as high an activity as before. Consequently, the 30% CoSe2/CdS catalyst could sustain for three cycles but, along with the consumption of lactic acid and structural destruction arising from photocorrosion, the hydrogen evolution activity would slump a significant degree.
For the sake of studying the mechanism during the charge transfer process of the catalysts, the photoelectrochemical attribute was confirmed in a 0.2 M Na2SO4 electrolyte environment. Figure 6a shows the current intensity-time curves of different catalysts in a condition under intermittent visible light illumination. With the light on and off, an evident photocurrent response presented in IT curves. The result could account for the sign of hydrogen evolution. As obviously shown in Figure 6a, pure CoSe2 did not present any photocurrent response. Comparatively, pure CdS showed a relatively high current response. The above result verified the assumption made before. Gradually, along with the enhancement of CoSe2 content, the photocurrent response apparently grew. Especially, the 30% CoSe2/CdS catalyst exhibited the supreme photocurrent density in a parallel condition. It can be held that the minor CoSe2 particles could not support enough predators for electrons, but redundant CoSe2 particles increased the burden during the electron transfer process. Ideally, this might be a process in which the separation and recombination between electrons and holes would be somehow improved.
The LSV of the sample is shown in Figure 6b. As seen in the diagram, when relatively low voltage was applied to the system, a weak current response could be obtained. The reason is the H+ around the cathode was reduced to H2 and led to a current response. On the other hand, the sample, 30% CoSe2/CdS, behaved with more positive activation than pure CdS in the same circumstance. When modified with CoSe2, the sample of CoSe2/CdS had a higher current response. The outcome was coincidental with former research, indicating that the CoSe2/CdS composite possesses favorable charge transition efficiency and likely restrains the recombination of electrons and holes. The above result serves as evidence for the hydrogen evolution regularity.
EIS was employed to express the impedance in the catalyst electrode. Figure 6c demonstrates the EIS Nyquist curves of CdS, and different ratios of CoSe2/CdS ranging from 10% to 50%, respectively. The impedance of the electrode could be reflected by the diameter of the Nyquist semicircle. The larger the radius, the larger the impedance is. It can be seen from the plot that 30% CoSe2/CdS presented the minimum radius compared with the others, which meant 30% CoSe2/CdS had the lowest impedance and, consequently, the 30% CoSe2 boasts a better charge transition velocity. The result of EIS could confirm the charge transition quality by taking synthetic factors into account, which indirectly prove that the CoSe2 particles play a significant role as a co-catalyst in the process of charge transition. We consider that the separation of electrons and holes was enhanced in some way.
The Mott–Schottky curve of the CdS and CoSe2 is shown in Figure 6d. Both CdS and CoSe2 exhibited positive slope, which showed that the CdS and CoSe2 were both n-type semiconductor. By means of investigating the linear part of the curve, we can acquire the flat band potentials of CdS and CoSe2 via the intersection consisting of the linear partial tangent and horizontal axis. According to previous literature, the conduction band position (ECB) of n-type semiconductors is more negative, about −0.1 V or −0.2 V, than its Efb. Meanwhile, we replace the conduction band and valence band position of the saturated calomel electrode (SCE) with the conduction band and valence band position of the normal hydrogen electrode (NHE) by Equation (1):
ENHE = ESCE + 0.241
According to the UV–VIS band gap (Eg) data, the valence band (EVB) position of CdS and CoSe2 are calculated by Equation (2):
ECB = EVB − Eg
As presented in the Mott–Schottky curve, the CB of pure CdS was lower than that of CoSe2. Thus, the CB of CoSe2 was between the CB and VB of CdS, which would conduce the charge transfer. Thus, we can declare the role of CoSe2 was as a co-catalyst. The consequence is shown in Table 1.
In summary, IT, LSV, and EIS curves demonstrated the obvious regularity as a pertinent photocatalyst, which was in line with the hydrogen evolution.
In order to make CoSe2 have a special function in photogenic charge separation, we employed different catalysts to seek for regularity. As seen in Figure 7, the CdS was stimulated by 370 nm light so as to generate strong light fluorescence, and the maximum peak fell in the 520 nm that stimulated the catalyst from the steady-state to the first excited state along with the separation of electron-hole pairs. Nevertheless, the electrons were excited before becoming unstable. By means of the radiation transition process the electrons would decay to the ground state. In addition, energy would emit in the form of photons that produced fluorescence. Once the CoSe2 was introduced to the system, PL emission exhibited a relatively intense quench phenomenon, which declared that the recombination between electrons and holes was alleviated. In particular, along with the increase of CoSe2 content, notable quenching phenomenon would arise. Especially, the quenching phenomenon would culminate when the CoSe2 content was adjusted to 30%, which was consistent with photocatalytic H2 evolution. In this reaction process, the phenomenon would be explained as follows: CoSe2 loaded on the CdS surface produced a synergistic effect and provided a swift electron transfer pathway so as to retard recombination and enhance the separation relationship between electrons and holes. Namely, the recombination of electron-hole pairs was retarded, which led to the consequence of lower fluorescence intensity. Moreover, adding CoSe2 led to a slight blue shift rise in the curve, which was attributed to the quantum confinement effect. According to the Bohr radius, when the size of quantum particles closed to the exciton Bohr radius, the size reduction would restrict the movement of the current carrier, which led to the increase of kinetic energy. The originally continuous band structure would evolve to a quasi-discrete energy level, and the effective band gap of quantum dots increased with the growth of the kinetic energy. As a result, the corresponding fluorescence spectra and absorption spectra appeared to blue shift.
To further explore the quenching property and the optical quality in another way, fluorescence lifetime was employed by transient fluorescence spectroscopy. The consequence is shown in Table 2. Data could be acquired by following formula (3):
<τ> = ∑i=1,2,3Biτi2/∑i=1,2,3Biτi
The parameters <τ>, τi, and Bi represent the average lifetime, decay time, and weight factors of pertinent substances, respectively. As specifically presented in Table 2, the average lifetime of CdS was 2.94 ns while, for pure CoSe2, it was 0, which showed there is no semiconductor character. After doping with CoSe2 particles, the average time of CoSe2/CdS decreased obviously. The above results indicated that the loading of CoSe2 provided an exit for photogenerated charge transfer. That was to say the fluorescent substance molecule would crash with the fluorescent quenching agent or combine in some static formation to unleash energy, so that the average time of fluorescent quenching was decreased.
In order to determine the specific area property, the BET was a good method to characterize that of the CoSe2/CdS photocatalyst. Figure 8 presents the adsorption-desorption isotherms of pure CdS nanorods and CoSe2/CdS. It could be observed from Figure 8 that both of the closed curves exhibit type III isotherms, which show no inflection point and that the attraction between the photocatalyst and nitrogen is too weak at the beginning. Along with the increase of relative pressure, the amount of absorption increases greatly, which could be inferred by the seam between photocatalyst being filled in a way. Moreover, it could be also supposed that the isotherm curve of the pure CdS nanorods was above that of CoSe2/CdS compound. The pertinent parameters are shown in Table 3. The SBET, pore volume, and average pore size of CdS were 50.1874, 0.211466, and 15.1348, respectively, which were larger than that of CoSe2/CdS of 13.0324, 0.39481, and 13.2311. We deduce that the larger BET parameters could be applied to more chances for nitrogen to be adsorbed. Consequently, we conclude that the decoration of CoSe2 particles serving as a co-catalyst decrease the specific area and pore size but, indeed, conduce to the charge transition quality.
Referring to the previous phenomenon, the behavior of pure CoSe2 in photoluminescence did not show any distinct trait as a semiconductor, so a probable mechanism for the photocatalyst over the CoSe2/CdS system could be speculated. The mechanism scheme is presented in Figure 9. Firstly, the electron-hole pairs were stimulated by optical energy when exposed to invisible light. Then the electron-hole split into an electron and hole, respectively. Afterwards, the electron left the hole to move to the conduction band from the valence band. In addition, the left hole moved to the valence band and finally combined with lactic acid whereby the recombination between the electron and hole was greatly alleviated. Thus, the e− could comfortably move to the NiSe2 material and combine with H+ to form H2. During the process, lactic acid acted as both an electron donor and sacrificial agent. Generally speaking, the CoSe2 as a co-catalyst loaded on the CdS nanorod would be employed as an electron predator to promote the transfer of electrons. Furthermore, the separation of the electron-hole would surge a great deal with the help of CoSe2. Along with the improvement of electron transfer and separation of electron-holes, the hydrogen evolution activity would eventually become better.

3. Experiment

3.1. Chemicals

All the reagents are of analytical grade and are used without further purification. All experiments use the deionized water. Cobalt nitrate hexahydrate (Co(NO3)2·6H2O) were purchased from Shanghai hutry chemical Co. LTD, lactic acid (C3H6O3) were purchased from Shanghai Aladdin biochemical technology Co. LTD, ethylenediamine (C2H8N2) were purchased from Yantai shuangshuang chemical Co. LTD, selenium powder (Se) and hydrazine hydrate (N2H4·H2O) were purchased from Tianjin damao chemical reagent factory, cadmium chloride (CdCl2·5/2H2O) were purchased from Shanghai McLean biochemical technology Co. LTD, thiourea (CH4N2S) were purchased from Tianjin jingu factory industrial company, ethanol (C2H5OH) were purchased from Sinopsin group chemical reagent Co. LTD.

3.2. Preparation of Catalysts

3.2.1. Preparation of CdS

CdS nanorods were synthesized with formerly reported ways [42]. A total of 4.63 g CdCl2·6H2O and 2.31 g NH2CSNH2 were put in a 100 mL stainless steel autoclave where 60 mL ethanediamine was already arranged. Next, the mixed solution was stirred for 30 min. Then the device was warmed at 160 °C for 36 h. Then let the autoclave cool to room temperature. Once the autoclave cooled, the precipitates were washed with deionized water and ethanol by using a centrifugal machine until the pungent smell disappeared. Next, the production was dried at 60 °C. After the product was dried, it was pounded into a fine powder by using a quartz mortar.

3.2.2. Preparation of CoSe2

The method to fabricate CoSe2 was similar to that of NiSe2 [43]. Specifically, 2.37 g of selenium powder was mixed with 2 mL hydrazine hydrate (80%) and scattered through by being ultrasonically treated for 30 min. Then 4.36 g Co (NO3)2·6H2O was added into the previous solution and was ultrasonically treated for 30 min as well to acquire a homogeneous solution. Afterwards, the solution was put into a 50 mL stainless steel autoclave and warmed at 180 °C for 24 h. Once the device cooled to ambient temperature, a centrifugal machine was used to wash and the goal product was collected with deionized water and ethanol. Finally, the sample was dried at 60 °C for 24 h, then pounded it into a fine powder in a quartz mortar.

3.2.3. Preparation of CoSe2/CdS

30% CoSe2/CdS catalyst was synthesized by the following route: Firstly, 0.06 g CoSe2 was spread in 20 mL ethanol; meanwhile, 0.2 g CdS was transferred into the CoSe2 ethanol and was ultrasonically treated for 30 min. Next, we evaporated the ethanol in a water bath at 60 °C. Then the dried powder was washed with deionized water and ethanol by using a centrifugal machine. Afterwards, a quartz mortar was used to pound it into a fine powder. The 10% CoSe2/CdS, 20% CoSe2/CdS, 30%CoSe2/CdS, 40% CoSe2/CdS, and 50% CoSe2/CdS products could be acquired by adjusting the ratio of CoSe2 in the same way.

3.3. Characterization

The morphology of the production can be clearly displayed in a scanning electron microscope (JSM-6701F.JEOL). TEM distinctly exhibited on an FEI Tecnai TF20 microscope at a voltage of 200 kV. The crystalline form was identified in a Rigaku X-ray diffractometer RINT-2000. The XPS (ESCALAB 250Xi) method was applied to confirm whether the elements in the products are supposed to exist or not. UV–VIS diffuse reflectance spectra was obtained on an UV-2550 (Shimadzu) spectrometer under BaSO4 as the reference. Fluorescence quality was measured through FluoroMAX-4 spectrometer (HORIBA Scientific, France) under ambient conditions.

3.4. Photoelectrochemical Measurements

A three-electrode system can be utilized on an electrochemical workstation (CHI760E) to measure all PEC properties. The working electrode was prepared by following way: Firstly, we measured 1 mL of nafion and 9 mL of ethanol and subjected them to ultrasonic treatment to obtain the suspension liquid. Then 5 mg of photocatalyst was transferred into the suspension liquid and subject to ultrasonic treatment as well to acquire a homogeneous suspension liquid. We then placed the above liquid mixture into a FOT glass and ensured the areas on the FOT glass were the same as before, that is 1 × 1.5 cm2. We then dried the product in the ambient environment. The as-prepared photoanode played the role of the working electrode and Pt plate was used as the counter electrode. Finally, a saturated calomel electrode was utilized as the reference electrode. The light source was a 300 W xenon lamp. The electrolyte employed a 0.2 mol/L Na2SO4 aqueous solution. Under the circumstance of intermittent cycles, 0.6 V vs. SCE biased voltage was the fixed condition.

3.5. Photocatalytic Activity Measurements

Hydrogen evolution measurements were implemented in a quartz bottle (62 mL). Hydrogen evolution was quantified according to following procedures: 10 mg catalyst powder was diffused in a 30 mL lactic acid sacrificial reagent (10% v/v) solution resorting to the ultrasonic method for 10 min. Being homogeneous, the system was filled with nitrogen for 5 min so as to exhaust the remaining air. Then the compounded system was put into the multichannel photocatalytic reaction apparatus. A total of 0.5 mL gas was injected through the needle per 60 min to measure the peak area of H2 via gas chromatography. Finally, the recorded peak area was transformed into moles by referring to the standard curve for hydrogen production.
We conducted the hydrogen evolution by using the apparatus below. When we were doing the experiment, we placed the bottle in the multichannel Figure 10a and turned on the light. Then we allowed the product to absorb gas for an hour from the bottle and injected it into the gas chromatograph Figure 10b.

4. Conclusions

In summary, the CdS doped with CoSe2 particles possessed a hydrogen evolution efficiency of 50,000 μmol/g or so, which was five times that of pure CdS nanorods. Additionally, the CoSe2/CdS photocatalyst could endure four circulation examinations of hydrogen evolution with a slight decline. On the one hand, the introduction of CoSe2 would be an exit for charge transfer, as well as enhance the absorption of visible light. On the other hand, the co-catalyst would alleviate the recombination of electrons and holes, which would contribute to the activity of hydrogen evolution. Through the photoelectrochemical, UV–VIS, and fluorescence properties, the above assumption was further confirmed.

Author Contributions

R.G. and X.M. conceived and designed the experiments; R.G. and G.W. performed the experiments; Z.J. contributed reagents/materials and analysis tools; R.G. wrote the paper.

Funding

Financially supported by the Chinese National Natural Science Foundation (21862002 and 41663012), this work is a major scientific project of North Minzu University (ZDZX201803), as part of new technology and system for clean energy catalytic production.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Figure 1. SEM and TEM pattern of sample: (a) SEM pattern of CoSe2/CdS; (b) SEM pattern of pure CdS; (c) TEM pattern of 30% CoSe2/CdS; (d) element mapping of CoSe2/CdS; (e) the HRTEM of CoSe2/CdS sample; and (f) EDX pattern of CoSe2/CdS.
Figure 1. SEM and TEM pattern of sample: (a) SEM pattern of CoSe2/CdS; (b) SEM pattern of pure CdS; (c) TEM pattern of 30% CoSe2/CdS; (d) element mapping of CoSe2/CdS; (e) the HRTEM of CoSe2/CdS sample; and (f) EDX pattern of CoSe2/CdS.
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Figure 2. XRD pattern of pure CdS, CoSe2 and CoSe2/CdS ranging from 10% to 50%.
Figure 2. XRD pattern of pure CdS, CoSe2 and CoSe2/CdS ranging from 10% to 50%.
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Figure 3. (a) The UV–VIS DRS of pure CdS, CoSe2 and CoSe2/CdS. (b) The forbidden band of CdS, CoSe2, and CoSe2/CdS.
Figure 3. (a) The UV–VIS DRS of pure CdS, CoSe2 and CoSe2/CdS. (b) The forbidden band of CdS, CoSe2, and CoSe2/CdS.
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Figure 4. XPS pattern of 30% CoSe2/CdS: (a) Cd3d; (b) S2p; (c) Se3p; and (d) Co2p.
Figure 4. XPS pattern of 30% CoSe2/CdS: (a) Cd3d; (b) S2p; (c) Se3p; and (d) Co2p.
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Figure 5. Research of hydrogen evolution activity: (a) The hydrogen evolution activity of pure CdS, CoSe2 and CoSe2/CdS ranging from 10–50%; (b) four repeating cycles of 30% CoSe2/CdS; and (c) the hydrogen evolution compare.
Figure 5. Research of hydrogen evolution activity: (a) The hydrogen evolution activity of pure CdS, CoSe2 and CoSe2/CdS ranging from 10–50%; (b) four repeating cycles of 30% CoSe2/CdS; and (c) the hydrogen evolution compare.
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Figure 6. (a) The photocurrent curves of pure CdS and 10% CoSe2/CdS, 30% CoSe2/CdS, 50% CoSe2/CdS. (b) LSV curves of pure CdS and CoSe2/CdS ranging from 10–50%. (c) EIS under unilluminated condition of pure CdS and CoSe2/CdS ranging from 10–50%. (d) Mott–Schottky plots for CdS and CoSe2.
Figure 6. (a) The photocurrent curves of pure CdS and 10% CoSe2/CdS, 30% CoSe2/CdS, 50% CoSe2/CdS. (b) LSV curves of pure CdS and CoSe2/CdS ranging from 10–50%. (c) EIS under unilluminated condition of pure CdS and CoSe2/CdS ranging from 10–50%. (d) Mott–Schottky plots for CdS and CoSe2.
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Figure 7. The PL spectra of pure CdS and CoSe2/CdS ranging from 10% to 50%.
Figure 7. The PL spectra of pure CdS and CoSe2/CdS ranging from 10% to 50%.
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Figure 8. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms and pertinent pore size distribution curves of pure CdS nanorods and the CoSe2/CdS compound.
Figure 8. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms and pertinent pore size distribution curves of pure CdS nanorods and the CoSe2/CdS compound.
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Figure 9. The mechanism of the CoSe2/CdS hydrogen evolution system.
Figure 9. The mechanism of the CoSe2/CdS hydrogen evolution system.
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Figure 10. (a) The multichannel; (b) gas chromatograph.
Figure 10. (a) The multichannel; (b) gas chromatograph.
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Table 1. Band gap energy, valence, and conduction band edge potential of CdS and CoSe2.
Table 1. Band gap energy, valence, and conduction band edge potential of CdS and CoSe2.
SemiconductorBand Energy Eg (eV)Valence Band EVB (eV)Conduction Band ECB (eV)
CdS (n-type)2.42.0−0.4
CoSe2 (n-type) −0.1
Table 2. Decay parameters of pure CdS, CoSe2, and CoSe2/CdS ranging from 10% to 50%.
Table 2. Decay parameters of pure CdS, CoSe2, and CoSe2/CdS ranging from 10% to 50%.
SystemLifetime <λ> (ns)Pre-Exponential Factor A%Average Lifetime <λ> (ns)X2
CoSe20.0059/4.1735/153.654399.76/0.05/0.180.00 1.48080
CdS4.1953/0.5532/79.956225.00/15.06/59.942.94 1.77483
30%3.2128/0.4006/41.064927.26/15.61/57.132.04 1.75398
Table 3. Nitrogen isothermal adsorption parameters.
Table 3. Nitrogen isothermal adsorption parameters.
SampleSBET/(m2·g−1)Pore Volume/(cm3·g−1)Average Pore Size/nm
CdS50.18740.21146615.1348
CoSe2/CdS13.03240.03948113.2311

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Gan, R.; Ma, X.; Wang, G.; Jin, Z. CoSe2 Clusters as Efficient Co-Catalyst Modified CdS Nanorod for Enhance Visible Light Photocatalytic H2 Evolution. Catalysts 2019, 9, 616. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal9070616

AMA Style

Gan R, Ma X, Wang G, Jin Z. CoSe2 Clusters as Efficient Co-Catalyst Modified CdS Nanorod for Enhance Visible Light Photocatalytic H2 Evolution. Catalysts. 2019; 9(7):616. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal9070616

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gan, Ruizhou, Xiaohua Ma, Guorong Wang, and Zhiliang Jin. 2019. "CoSe2 Clusters as Efficient Co-Catalyst Modified CdS Nanorod for Enhance Visible Light Photocatalytic H2 Evolution" Catalysts 9, no. 7: 616. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal9070616

APA Style

Gan, R., Ma, X., Wang, G., & Jin, Z. (2019). CoSe2 Clusters as Efficient Co-Catalyst Modified CdS Nanorod for Enhance Visible Light Photocatalytic H2 Evolution. Catalysts, 9(7), 616. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal9070616

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