Charge separation, protection of photocatalysts from hole attacks, and easy recyclability, which are of paramount importance in the development and applications of highly efficient and photochemically stable nanosized semiconductor photocatalysts, were achieved simultaneously by paramagnetic ZnFe2O4 nanocrystal decorated CdS nanorods. The photo-induced holes of CdS tend to migrate to the photochemically stable ZnFe2O4 domain while the photo-induced electrons of ZnFe2O4 tend to migrate to the photochemically more active CdS domain, achieving CdS protection and electron-hole separation. Decoration of ZnFe2O4 nanocrystals on CdS nanorod surfaces was achieved with a solvothermal process, giving a highly efficient, visible light responsive, photochemically stable, magnetically recyclable photocatalyst for hydrogen generation through water splitting. Specific hydrogen evolution rates as high as 2.44 mmol g(-1) h(-1) were achieved with the present product under visible light illumination, with its long term stability demonstrated.

Cu2O‐decorated mesoporous TiO2 beads (MTBs) are developed as a low‐cost, highly efficient photocatalyst for H2 production. MTBs with a high specific surface area of 189 m2 g−1, a large pore volume of 0.43 cm3 g−1 and a suitable pore size of 8.9 nm are decorated with band‐structure‐matched Cu2O nanocrystals through a simple, fast and low‐cost chemical bath deposition process. The Cu2O nanocrystals serve as an electron–hole separation centre to promote H2 evolution. Under optimal operation conditions, an ultra‐high specific H2 evolution rate of 223 mmol h−1 g−1 is achieved. The success is attributed to the structural advantages of the MTBs of high specific surface areas, large pore volumes and suitable pore sizes together with the much improved electron–hole separation and light utilisation of the Cu2O‐decorated MTBs. The H2 evolution rates achieved with the Cu2O‐decorated MTBs are one order of magnitude higher than those achieved by commercial P25 TiO2.

No abstract

No abstract