Interfacial Engineering of CdS/ReS 2 Nanocomposites for Enhanced Charge Separation and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

CdS is a promising photocatalyst for solar-driven hydrogen production due to its favorable optical properties and electronic structure. However, rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers and photocorrosion significantly limit its practical application. In this study, we developed a sustainable strategy by constructing CdS/ReS 2 nanocomposites through hydrothermal interfacial engineering. On this basis, ReS 2 nanosheets were intercalated on the surface of CdS by the hydrothermal method for catalyst modification. The introduction of ReS 2 can effectively enhance the photoelectrochemical performance of CdS and accelerate the transfer of photogenerated carriers. The effects of different ReS 2 loadings on the photocatalytic activity of CdS were explored experimentally, and the data revealed that the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution efficiency reached 50 mmol g −1 h −1 when the loading amount of ReS 2 was 7 wt% and did not show any obvious attenuation during four cycles. This study provides a robust surface engineering strategy to enhance the catalytic efficiency of CdS photocatalysts and provides a theoretical basis for its application in photocatalytic hydrogen precipitation. This study also emphasizes the potential of abundant, non-precious metal materials for promoting scalable, environmentally friendly hydrogen production technologies that align with the principles of green chemistry and sustainable energy systems.