Electrostatically induced Furfural-Derived carbon Dots-CdS hybrid for solar Light-Driven hydrogen production

Min Ge; Hanqing Yin; Wenjie Tian; Huayang Zhang; Shujun Li; Shaobin Wang; Zhijun Chen

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.027

Electrostatically induced Furfural-Derived carbon Dots-CdS hybrid for solar Light-Driven hydrogen production

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2024 Apr 15:660:147-156. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.027. Epub 2024 Jan 9.

Authors

Min Ge¹, Hanqing Yin², Wenjie Tian³, Huayang Zhang⁴, Shujun Li⁵, Shaobin Wang³, Zhijun Chen⁶

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China.
² School of Chemistry and Physics and QUT, Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
³ School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.
⁴ School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia. Electronic address: huayang.zhang@adelaide.edu.au.
⁵ Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China. Electronic address: lishujun@nefu.edu.cn.
⁶ Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China. Electronic address: chenzhijun@nefu.edu.cn.

PMID: 38241863
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.027

Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs) exhibit distinctive optical, electronic, and physicochemical properties, rendering them effective cocatalysts to enhance the photocatalytic performance of light-absorbing materials. The interplay between CDs and substrates is pivotal in manipulating photogenerated charge separation, transfer, and redistribution, significantly influencing overall photocatalytic efficiency. This study introduces a novel electrostatic interaction strategy to interface positively charged CdS nanorods (CdS NRs) with negatively charged furfural-derived CDs. The resulting optimized composite (25-CDs@CdS NRs), showcases photocatalytic hydrogen production at a rate of 1076 μmol g^-1h^-1. Experimental analyses and theoretical simulations offer insights into the structure-activity relationship, underscoring the crucial role of enhanced electrostatic interaction between CDs and CdS NRs in facilitating efficient charge transfer, activating reaction sites, and improving reaction kinetics. This research establishes an adaptable strategy for integrating CDs with metal-based semiconductors, opening new avenues for developing photocatalytic hybrid assemblies.

Keywords: Carbon dots; CdS nanorods; Electrostatic interaction; Hydrogen production; Photocatalysis.