Interfacial Engineering of CdS/ReS2 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/ReS2 nanocomposites through hydrothermal interfacial engineering. On this basis, ReS2 nanosheets were intercalated on the surface of CdS by the hydrothermal method for catalyst modification. The introduction of ReS2 can effectively enhance the photoelectrochemical performance of CdS and accelerate the transfer of photogenerated carriers. The effects of different ReS2 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 ReS2 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.