LAUSR

Abstract Hierarchical ZnxCd1-xS (x = 1, 0.85, 0.74, 0.64, 0.46 and 0.36) microclusters were successfully prepared by a secondary growth strategy using ethanol as solvent under solvothermal condition. Cluster-like ZIF-8 crystals derived from crystalline hierarchical zinc carbonate, CdCl2 inorganic salt and thiourea were used as the starting materials at stoichiometric ratios. The as-prepared hierarchical hierarchical Zn0.64Cd0.36S material exhibits excellent water splitting performance with a maximum H2 generation rate of 815 μmol g−1 h−1 under visible-light irradiation in the presence of sacrificial agent of 0.25 M Na2S and 0.35 M Na2SO3. This hydrogen generation efficiency is about 23 times higher than that of pure CdS (34.7 μmol g−1 h−1) and 14 times higher than Zn0.64Cd0.36S reference material (56.4 μmol g−1 h−1) prepared by one-pot hydrothermal method. The hierarchical Zn0.64Cd0.36S material exhibits a synergetic effect as a photocatalyst to enhance hydrogen generation and the corresponding photocatalytic mechanism is discussed in detail. This work demonstrates a feasible morphology preservation strategy to prepare novel hierarchical composites with specific chemical composition, high surface area, and abundant active sites, characterized by a rapid diffusion and separation of photogenerated charge carriers proving a visible-light driven photocatalytic hydrogen generation.