Boosting Interfacial Charge Transfer in 0D/2D FeCoS ₂ /ZnCdS Schottky Junction for Wide Spectrum Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

ABSTRACT Enhancing the electron transfer rate through the construction of a Schottky heterojunction represents an effective route to boost photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE). In this work, a 0D/2D FeCoS ₂ /ZnCdS Schottky junction was prepared by physically blending FeCoS ₂ nanoparticles with ZnCdS nanosheets, which enabled efficient PHE. The bimetallic sulfide FeCoS ₂ not only increases the active sites of the composite and lowers the hydrogen evolution overpotential, but also enhances the light‐harvesting capability through its interfacial interaction. DFT calculation results indicate that FeCoS ₂ possesses metallic‐like properties, enabling the formation of a Schottky junction between FeCoS ₂ and ZnCdS. Moreover, due to the work function difference, electrons flow from ZnCdS to FeCoS ₂ , forming a Schottky barrier and a built‐in electric field at the interface. This electric field drives rapid electron transfer and suppresses electron backflow. More importantly, the metal‐like nature of FeCoS ₂ is conducive to the efficient migration of interfacial electrons. The best PHE rate of 14.57 mmol g ⁻¹ h ⁻¹ is therefore shown by the optimized 15%FeCoS ₂ /ZnCdS, which is increased 5.1‐fold compared to pure ZnCdS (2.86 mmol g ⁻¹ h ⁻¹ ). This work advances highly efficient wide‐spectrum photocatalytic hydrogen evolution through the construction of a ZnCdS‐based Schottky junction photocatalyst.