Next frontier in photocatalytic hydrogen production through CdS heterojunctions

• Published in: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
• Main Authors: Islam, Aminul; Malek, Abdul; Islam, Md. Tarekul; Nipa, Farzana Yeasmin; Raihan, Obayed; Mahmud, Hasan; Uddin, Md. Elias; Ibrahim, Mohd Lokman; Abdulkareem-Alsultan, G.; Mondal, Alam Hossain; Hasan, Md. Munjur; Salman, Md. Shad; Kubra, Khadiza Tul; Hasan, Md. Nazmul; Sheikh, Md. Chanmiya; Uchida, Tetsuya; Rasee, Adiba Islam; Rehan, Ariyan Islam; Awual, Eti; Hossain, Mohammed Sohrab; Waliullah, R. M.; Awual, Md. Rabiul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD 2025
• Subjects: Chemistry; Electrochemistry; Energy & Fuels
• Online Access: https://www-webofscience-com.uitm.idm.oclc.org/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001425806500001
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.12.300

Photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) generation via solar-powered water splitting represents a sustainable solution to the global energy crisis. Cadmium sulfide (CdS) has emerged as a promising semiconductor photocatalyst due to its tunable bandgap, high physicochemical stability, cost-effectiveness, and widespread availability. This review systematically examines recent advancements in CdS-based heterojunctions, categorized into CdS-metal (Schottky), CdS-semiconductor (p-n, Z-scheme, S-scheme), and CdS-carbon heterojunctions. Various strategies employed to enhance photocatalytic efficiency and stability are discussed, including band structure engineering, surface modification, and the incorporation of crosslinked architectures. A critical evaluation of the underlying photocatalytic mechanisms highlights recent efforts to improve charge separation and photostability under operational conditions. This review highlights the challenges and opportunities in advancing CdS-based photocatalysts and provides a direction for future research. The insights presented aim to accelerate the development of efficient and durable CdS-based photocatalysts for sustainable H2 production.