For the traditional hexagonal CdS (h-CdS) photocatalyst,
both of the efficient charge separation and rapid H2-evolution
reactions are highly required for improving its H2-production
efficiency. In this study, a facile noble metal-free strategy was
reported to simultaneously realize the efficient charge separation
and rapid interfacial H2-evolution reaction by homojunction
CdS photocatalysts with a massive S2–-adsorbed surface
phase in a sulfur-rich system. Herein, massive S2–-adsorbed c-CdS nanoparticles as the effective surface
phase were deposited on the h-CdS photocatalyst surface
by an adsorption in situ transformation strategy. The obtained c-CdS nanocrystals with a nanocrystal size of ∼5
nm and with massive S2–-ion adsorption can be homogeneously
dispersed on the whole h-CdS surface to form c-CdS/h-CdS photocatalysts. Photocatalytic
activity evaluation revealed that the H2-production performance
of the h-CdS photocatalyst could be markedly enhanced
by modifying S2–-adsorbed c-CdS
nanoparticles, and the c-CdS/h-CdS
(7 wt %) achieved a H2-production rate of 1789.2 μmol
h–1 g–1, about 2.3 times higher
than that of the h-CdS (795.1 μmol h–1 g–1). The improved H2-generation activity
of c-CdS/h-CdS can be accounted
by the excellent synergistic effect of c-CdS nanocrystals
and S2– ions; namely, the surface homojunction of
hexagonal and cubic CdS can facilitate the spatial charge separation,
while numerous adsorbed S2– ions on the c-CdS nanocrystal surface can effectively function as H2-generation active centers to boost the H2 formation.
This study may provide new ideas to one-step construct highly efficient
photocatalysts for water splitting.