The photocatalytic production of H₂ by low-cost semiconductors is a promising approach to store solar energy. Photocatalysts with heterojunctions convert visible light into H₂ faster because of more efficient charge separation. The morphology, the structure, and the crystallinity are additional factors to consider when developing a photocatalyst. Here, highly-crystalline CdS nanorod (NR) were synthesized by a facile one-pot process. Under visible light, pure CdS NR produced H₂ 2.1 times faster than conventional CdS nanoparticles (NP). CdS NR were then combined with the semiconductor red phosphorus (RPh). A CdS NR-based heterojunction photocatalyst with RPh_5% had an excellent photocatalytic H₂ evolution rate of 11.72 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, which was 3.6 times higher than pure CdS NR. The apparent quantum efficiency of RPh_5%/CdS NR was 19.57%. Furthermore, RPh_5%/CdS NR exhibited a superior photogenerated charge separation efficiency and was stable with little photocorrosion compared to CdS NP showing the high potential of this heterojunction photocatalyst.

低成本半导体光催化生产H ₂是一种有前途的存储太阳能的方法。带有异质结的光催化剂由于电荷分离效率更高，因此将可见光更快地转化为H ₂。形态，结构和结晶度是开发光催化剂时要考虑的其他因素。在这里，高度结晶的CdS纳米棒（NR）是通过简便的一锅法合成的。在可见光下，纯CdS NR产生的H ₂速度是常规CdS纳米颗粒（NP）的2.1倍。然后将CdS NR与半导体红磷（RPh）合并。RPh _5％的CdS NR基异质结光催化剂具有优异的光催化H ₂析出速率为11.72 mmol g ^-1  h ^-1，是纯CdS NR的3.6倍。RPh _5％ / CdS NR的表观量子效率为19.57％。此外，与CdS NP相比，RPh _5％ / CdS NR表现出优异的光生电荷分离效率，并且稳定，几乎没有光腐蚀，这表明该异质结光催化剂具有高潜力。