Enhanced photocatalytic performance and stability of multi-layer core-shell nanocomposite C@Pt/MoS2@CdS with full-spectrum response

The nanocomposite material C@Pt/MoS2@CdS was prepared by a simple microwave-assisted hydrothermal method combined with photoreduction method. The crystal structure, microstructure, and surface physical chemistry properties of the material were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis/DRS), X-ray photoelectron energy spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurement, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), and electrochemical tests. As a result, this material has full-spectrum light absorption property and the composited CdS presents a good hexagonal phase. Moreover, the composite material presents a nanorod-like multi-layer core-shell structure, wherein the rod-like MoS2@CdS surface is covered with Pt and C. The formation of the multi-layer core-shell structure increases the specific surface area of as-composite material and strengthens its light absorption performance. The electrochemical impedance and transient photocurrent test results show that C@Pt/MoS2@CdS has the highest charge separation efficiency and enhanced photocurrent density compared with other systems. Photogenerated charge carriers have higher separation efficiency, and photogenerated electrons and holes exhibit longer life. During the photocatalysis experiments, the nanocomposite C@Pt/MoS2@CdS shows enhanced photodegradation activity under multi-modal photocatalytic experiments and excellent stability under visible light irradiation. In addition, C@Pt/MoS2@CdS has a strong photocatalytic water splitting ability. Under the same experimental conditions, its hydrogen production is 60 times that of commercially available P25. Through capture experiments, the reactive species in the photocatalytic reaction process were determined, and the possible photocatalytic reaction mechanism of this multi-layer core-shell C@Pt/MoS2@CdS nanocomposite was inferred.