Efficient photocatalytic H2production realized by Mn x Cd1- xSe In situ heterojunction

Abstract

Fast recombination of photoinduced carriers inhibits the performance of photocatalysts. By constructing heterojunctions, built-in electric fields can be formed to separate electrons and holes and finally enhance the photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, a Mn_xCd_1-xSein situheterojunction was fabricated by a facile solvothermal method to draw upon this advantage. Absorption spectra show that the light absorption of CdSe raises up obviously after the doping of Mn²⁺. Best performance was achieved when the doping percent of Mn²⁺was 50%. This Mn_0.5Cd_0.5Se sample exhibits a 7.2 folds increase in hydrogen evolution against pure CdSe owing to the fast electron transportation. Moreover, it proves well stability in an 18 h cycling test and gains a 6.7% apparent quantum yield under 420 nm light. In summary, this work constructs anin situheterojunction to enhance the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution efficiency and sheds light on a feasible way for the application of photocatalysis.

Keywords: Mn x Cd1−x Se; in situ heterojunction; nanoparticle; photocatalysis.