Rational construction of S-scheme CdS quantum dots/In2O3 hollow nanotubes heterojunction for enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution

doi:10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60213-5

Abstract

Abstract:

The rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers poses a significant limitation on the use of CdS quantum dots (QDs) in photocatalysis. Herein, the construction of a novel S-scheme heterojunction between cubic-phase CdS QDs and hollow nanotube In₂O₃ is successfully achieved using an electrostatic self-assembly method. Under visible light irradiation, all CdS-In₂O₃ composites exhibit higher hydrogen evolution efficiency compared to pure CdS QDs. Notably, the photocatalytic H₂ evolution rate of the optimal CdS-7%In₂O₃ composite is determined to be 2258.59 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, approximately 12.3 times higher than that of pure CdS. The cyclic test indicates that the CdS-In₂O₃ composite maintains considerable activity even after 5 cycles, indicating its excellent stability. In situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations confirm that carrier migration in CdS-In₂O₃ composites adheres to a typical S-scheme heterojunction mechanism. Additionally, a series of characterizations demonstrate that the formation of S-scheme heterojunctions between In₂O₃ and CdS inhibits charge recombination and accelerates the separation and migration of photogenerated carriers in the CdS QDs, thus achieving enhanced photocatalytic performance. This work elucidates the pivotal role of S-scheme heterojunctions in photocatalytic H₂ production and offers novel insights into the construction of effective composite photocatalysts.

Key words: CdS, In₂O₃, Quantum dot, Photocatalytic H₂ evolution, S-scheme heterojunction

Yong-Hui Wu, Yu-Qing Yan, Yi-Xiang Deng, Wei-Ya Huang, Kai Yang, Kang-Qiang Lu. Rational construction of S-scheme CdS quantum dots/In₂O₃ hollow nanotubes heterojunction for enhanced photocatalytic H₂ evolution[J]. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2025, 70: 333-340.

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URL: https://www.cjcatal.com/EN/10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60213-5

https://www.cjcatal.com/EN/Y2025/V70/I3/333

Figures/Tables 5

Fig. 1. (a) Schematic synthetic process of CdS-In2O3 composite. (b,c) TEM image and high-resolution TEM image of CdS QDs. SEM images of In2O3 (d) and CdS-7%In2O3 composite (e). (f) EDS of CdS-7%In2O3 composite. (g) Elemental mapping image of Cd, S, In, and O of CdS-7%In2O3 composite.

Fig. 2. (a) XRD pattern of CdS, In2O3, and CdS-7%In2O3 composite. (b) Zeta potential of APTES-modified In2O3 suspension dispersed in deionized water. Plots of (αhν)2 versus band gap (hν) of CdS (c) and In2O3 (d). Mott-Schottky plots of CdS (e) and In2O3 (f).

Fig. 3. (a) Photocatalytic H2 production rate of CdS and CdS-In2O3 composite with TEOA as sacrifical agent. (b) Stability diagram of photocatalytic hydrogen production of CdS-7%In2O3 composite. (c) Polarization curves. Transient photocurrent diagram (d) and the EIS Nyquist plots (e) of CdS, In2O3, and CdS-7%In2O3 composite. (f) PL spectrum of blank CdS and CdS-7%In2O3 composite.

Fig. 4. High-resolution XPS spectrum for Cd 3d (a), S 2p (b), In 3d (c), and O 1s (d) of CdS, In2O3, and CdS-In2O3 composite. Calculated electrostatic potentials of CdS (111) (e) and In2O3 (222) (f) crystal planes.

Fig. 5. Reaction mechanism diagram of CdS-In2O3 heterostructure in photocatalytic hydrogen production.

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Rational construction of S-scheme CdS quantum dots/In₂O₃ hollow nanotubes heterojunction for enhanced photocatalytic H₂ evolution

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