A polymer supported graphene–CdS composite catalyst was developed.
The highest H2 production rate of the composite catalyst was 175 渭mol h−1.
The hydrogen production rate of the composite catalyst was 19.3 times higher than that of physical mixed sample.
The combination of the photo-induced electrons and holes was suppressed by loading CdS on graphene.
The aggregation between single-layer graphene sheets was inhibited by the structure.