The Dual-Function of GSH for Enhancing the CdS PEC Performance via Constructing Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Heterojunction and Organic Cocatalyst

Finding a restful method to ameliorate the shortcoming of slow charge separation and narrow light absorption range in CdS photoanodes is a significant challenge in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Thus, we firstly prepared the CdS/GSH film via hydrothermal method and solution adhesion method for revealing the dual-function of GSH adhesion for advancing the PEC performance of CdS via constructing inorganic–organic hybrid heterojunction and organic cocatalyst. The construction of CdS/GSH inorganic–organic hybrid heterojunction could suppress the carrier separation because the built-in electric field between heterojunction. Moreover, the adhesion of GSH effectively widens the visible light response ability of CdS. Furthermore, the abundant -OH in GSH play a role of cocatalyst because it is easy oxidized by photo-generated holes so as to lifting surface reaction kinetics. As except, the photocurrent density of 0.4 g GSH in solution for CdS/GSH heterojunction (CdS/GSH-4) is 1.48 mA/cm 2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE, which is 4.3 times that of CdS. Moreover, the carriers separation efficiency in surface and bulk is 1.71 and 1.68 times as much as CdS. Our detail research may create a bright tactics for designing and manufacturing a promising photoanode for PEC water splitting. Graphical Abstract