Boosting charge transfers in cadmium sulfide nanorods with a few layered Ni-doped MoS₂ nanosheets for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

The molybdenum sulfide (MoS₂) is a promising low-cost photocatalyst aimed at the hydrogen production reactions, however, obtaining a detailed understanding of its catalytic site has proved to be a challenging task. Several studies indicated that the active sites for catalytic reaction are mainly associated with the edge sites of 2D-layered MoS₂, and their basal plane (in-plane) displays poor activity toward catalytic reactions. Herein, we established the simple approaches to enhance the activity of MoS₂ by conversion of in-plane active sites into active surface edge sites by transition metal (Ni) doping followed by exfoliation. These activated MoS₂ was utilized for enormous upgrading of CdS photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production and is roughly 249 mmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹, which is 70 times higher than pure CdS, showed ∼140 h stable H₂ production. The amended conductivity, improved surface area and huge active sites are extremely advantageous properties expanded by metal doping to MoS₂ and exfoliation. Additionally, another reason for the enhanced activity of Ni–MoS₂/CdS system was due to promotion of catalytic kinetics by Ni and Mo sits, they are admirable activity of water dissociation and higher ability of hydrogen adsorption correspondingly. These modifications made of superior photogenerated charge carriers’ separation and migration for effective utilization. As far as we know, this system demonstrates the utmost effective performance among inclusive reported MoS₂ based CdS composites. Remarkably, these outcomes will have abundant potential for the progress of immensely actual photocatalytic systems.