Investigation of surface interaction in rGO-CdS photocatalyst for hydrogen production: An insight from XPS studies

Abstract

Formation of heterojunction in supported-photocatalyst plays an important role in photocatalysis for hydrogen production. However, study of this formation is needed to be more. Reduced graphene supported-cum-doped Cadmium sulphide (rGO-CdS) is widely employed for the production of hydrogen by photocatalysis splitting of water. The Formation of surface interaction between rGO and CdS was explained by detailed analysis by using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with depth profiling, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The charge transfer phenomena through heterojunction are also explicated. The higher conductivity of rGO further facilitated the transmission of electrons to the interface of solid-liquid. Thus, the restriction of charge recombination and greater mobility of electron yielded superior activity to the CdS/rGO catalyst which was prepared by impregnation method followed by the H2S gas reaction with high temperature. © 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC