In situ Integration of a Metallic 1T‐MoS₂/CdS Heterostructure as a Means to Promote Visible‐Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

The replacement of expensive noble‐metals cocatalysts with inexpensive, earth‐abundant, metallic nonmetal materials in most semiconductor‐based photocatalytic systems is highly desirable. Herein, we report the fabrication of stable 1T‐MoS 2 slabs in situ grown on CdS nanorods (namely, 1T‐MoS 2 @CdS) by using a solvothermal method. As demonstrated by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, in combination with steady‐state and time‐resolved photoluminescence, the synergistic effects resulting from formation of the intimate nanojunction between the interfaces and effective electron transport in the metallic phase of 1T‐MoS 2 largely contribute to boosting the photocatalytic activity of CdS. Notably, the heterostructure with an optimum loading of 0.2 wt % 1T‐MoS 2 exhibits an almost 39‐fold enhancement in the photocatalytic activity relative to that exhibited by bare CdS. This work represents a step towards the in situ realization of a 1T‐phase MoS 2 ‐based heterostructure as a promising cocatalyst with high performance and low cost.