Deciphering the S-scheme carrier transfer dynamics of a CdS-ZnCdS heterostructure for enhanced hydrogen evolution: an ultrafast approach.

Authors

Atal Swathi Patra, Himanshu Bhatt, Rakesh Kumar Behera, Nitika Kharbanda, Adithyan Puthukkudi, Ipsita Parichha, Chetandipta Mahanta, Hirendra N Ghosh

Published in

Nanoscale. Jul 20, 2026. Epub Jul 20, 2026.

Abstract

S-Scheme heterostructures have proved their proficiency as state-of-the-art photocatalysts due to their unique ability to segregate photogenerated carriers at high redox potentials. Here, we designed an S-scheme heterostructure by combining two broadly absorbing photocatalysts, CdS and ZnCdS (ZCS), using the in situ solvothermal method. This unique integration resulted in improved hydrogen evolution rates for the CdS/ZCS heterostructure compared to those of pristine systems. The photoluminescence study highlighted a suppressed charge recombination in the heterostructure owing to its staggered type band alignment. Photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the creation of a directional electric field at the heterointerface due to the underlying charge migration. Femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy featured an interfacial electron transfer from CdS to ZCS upon illumination. The comprehensive spectroscopic investigation, combining ultrafast and photoelectron spectroscopy, revealed an S-scheme charge separation mechanism in the CdS/ZCS heterostructure, leading to improved H₂ yields. This work emphasises the importance of the underlying photophysical pathways in artificial photocatalysis, thereby opening a new avenue for designing cutting-edge S-scheme-based photocatalysts.

PMID:
42475047
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 20 Jul 2026.

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