Three-Dimensional Core–Shell Nanorod Arrays for Efficient Visible-Light Photocatalytic H 2 Production

Constructing heterostructured nanomaterials with integrating different functional materials into well-oriented nanoarchitectures is an efficacious tactic to obtain high-performance photocatalysts. In this paper, we fabricated three-dimensional ZnO–WS 2 @CdS core–shell nanorod arrays as visible-light-driven photocatalysts for efficient photocatalytic H 2 production. This unique core–shell heterostructure extends visible-light absorption and provides more active sites. More importantly, the ZnO–WS 2 @CdS nanorod arrays build a beneficial energy level configuration and spatial structure to accelerate the generation, separation, and transfer of the photogenerated electron–hole. On the basis of the synergistic effects, the photocatalytic H 2 rate of optimized ZnO–WS 2 @CdS nanorod arrays achieves 15.12 mmol h –1 g –1 in visible light irradiation, which is 39, 9, and 8 times higher than pure CdS, ZnO–CdS, and CdS–WS 2 photocatalysts. The apparent quantum yield is up to 14.92% at 420 nm. Moreover, the core–shell heterostructure photocatalyst can recycle and maintain stability.