Fig 1

XRD patterns of (a, b) ZnxCd1−xS solid solutions. XPS (c) survey, high-resolution (d) Zn 2p, (e) Cd 3d and (f) S 2p spectra of CdS, ZCS and ZnS. (g) SEM, (h) TEM and (i) HTREM images of ZCS. Inset: FFT plot corresponding to the red rectangular region in (i)."

Fig 2

(a) Time courses of H2 evolution and (b) HER rate of ZnxCd1−xS samples. (c) time courses of H2 evolution as well as corresponding HER rate of physically mixed CdS + ZnS, CdS@ZnS and ZnS@CdS samples. (d) time courses of H2 evolution and (e) HER rate of y%PZCS samples. (f) wavelength dependence of AQY and (g) cyclic experiments of 0.1%PZCS. (h–i) HER rate of y%PZCS samples in different sacrificial solutions. Photocatalytic conditions: (a–g) 100 mL aqueous solution containing 0.35 M Na2S and 0.25 M Na2SO3, (h) 100 mL 10 vol% lactic acid solution, and (i) 100 mL 10 vol% methanol or triethanolamine solutions; all equipped with 420 nm filter."

Fig 3

(a) UV-vis DRS of ZnxCd1−xS samples. (b) XPS-VB spectra and (c) relative energy band structures of CdS, ZCS and ZnS. the calculated PDOS and corresponding electronic energy band structure of (d, e) CdS, (f, g) ZCS and (h, i) ZnS, respectively."

Fig 4

2D transient absorption surface plots, TA spectra, and decay kinetic curves under different wavelengths of (a–c) CdS, (d–f) ZnS and (g–i) ZCS. (j) illustration of the mixed direct-indirect photocarriers transition mechanism."

Fig 5

(a) UV-vis DRS, (b) XPS-VB spectra and (c) relative energy band structures of ZCS and 0.1%PZCS. (d) 2D transient absorption surface plot, (e) TA spectra, and (f) decay kinetic curves under 490 nm of 0.1%PZCS."