Hollow CuCo2O4–Mn0.2Cd0.8S double-shell nanospheres for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production activity

The development of efficient composite photocatalyst to decompose water and produce hydrogen utilizing solar energy is the important measure to achieve carbon neutrality. Herein, hollow CuCo 2 O 4 double-shell nanospheres were obtained by calcination in air, and then modified with Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S in different mass ratios to obtain hollow CuCo 2 O 4 –Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S double-shell nanospheres. When the mass ratio of CuCo 2 O 4 and Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S was 1:10, the photocatalytic hydrogen production rate reached to 25.17 mmol g −1  h −1 without noble metal cocatalyst. The high photocatalytic performance of CuCo 2 O 4 –Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S benefited from the hollow structure of CuCo 2 O 4 and the formation of type-I heterostructure, which increased the utilization rate of visible light, accelerated the electrons transfer and reduced the recombination of electron and hole. Meanwhile, CuCo 2 O 4 nanospheres provided the support for Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S and reduced the agglomeration phenomenon of Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S, thus exhibiting good photostability. This research provided a new insight for constructing efficient hollow composite photocatalyst.