Fabrication of CZS NRs/NiSx NPs hybrids with abundant S-vacancies for signally promoting photocatalytic hydrogen production.

The cocatalysts play a key role in photocatalytic technology in remarkably improving the efficiency of H 2 evolution. Herein, S vacancies-rich Cd 0.6 Zn 0.4 S nanorods (CZS NRs) were prepared via solvothermal method. Then, as-obtained CZS NRs were modified with Ni–Co PBA-derived NiS x nanoparticles (NPs) cocatalyst using grinding method. The optimized CZS/NiS x -N-1.5 hybrids (CZS/NiS x -N, where N represents nickel nitrate which was used as nickel source) exhibited outstanding stability and activity, the average rate of H 2 was up to 192.82 mmolg−1h−1 in deionized water medium, which was 201.4% higher than that of CZS. Besides, NiS x -A and NiS x -C cocatalysts with different particle sizes were obtained using nickel acetate (A) and nickel chloride (C) as nickel source, respectively. The CZS/NiS x -C-1.5 and CZS/NiS x -A-1.5 exhibited the H 2 evolution rate of 180.70 and 201.93 mmolg−1h−1 in deionized water medium, respectively. The as-prepared materials also exhibited the excellent H 2 evolution performance in natural seawater medium. Besides, the photocatalytic mechanism of H 2 evolution over CZS NRs/NiSs NPs was also discussed. This work develops a novel H 2 evolution cocatalyst and unveils the relationship between the loading amount/particle size of cocatalyst on the H 2 evolution rate. CZS NRs/NiSx NPs hybrids for photocatalytic pure water and natural seawater hydrogen production. [Display omitted] • A novel photocatalytic H 2 evolution cocatalyst was prepared. • Optimized CZS/NiS x exhibits high reusability, and structural stability. • The relationship of loading amount/particle size of cocatalyst on H 2 evolution rate were unveiled. • The evolution process of morphology from Ni–Co PBA NCs to NiS x NPs was explored. • Optimized CZS/NiS x exhibits excellent high activity in deionized water and natural seawater medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]