Efficient solar-light photocatalytic H2 evolution of Mn0.5Cd0.5S coupling with S,N-codoped carbon

[Display omitted] •Mn0.5Cd0.5S composites were prepared via High-temperature sulfurized route.•MCS/SN-C was prepared via the in-situ sulfurization at high temperature.•MCS/SN-C exhibit the excellent solar light driven H2 evolution. The low-cost and highly-efficient photocatalysts for solar-light induced water splitting had drawn great attention to develop the renewable hydrogen economy. To enhance the solar-light driven H2 evolution of Mn0.5Cd0.5S, Mn0.5Cd0.5S was modified by S,N-codoped carbon (3-MCS/SN-C) via the in-situ sulfurization at high temperature. In contrast with Mn0.5Cd0.5S (11.13 mmol g−1 h−1) and S-doped g-C3N4 (0.35 mmol g−1 h−1), the optimal 3-MCS/SN-C with a mass ratio of Mn0.5Cd0.5S to S,N-codoped carbon of 1:3 exhibited the best H2 evolution rate of 27.58 mmol g−1 h−1 and an apparent quantum yield of 27.43% at 400 nm. The photo-corrosion induced to the decreased H2 evolution capacity of 3-MCS/SN-C from 131.13 to 126.52 mmol g−1 after five cycles of 5 h. S,N-codoped carbon could efficiently capture visible light and absorb the photons, leading to the efficient transformation and separation of photo-generated carriers at the junction interface between Mn0.5Cd0.5S and S,N-codoped carbon.