Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution over Hierarchical Composites of ZnIn₂S₄ Nanosheets Grown on MoS₂ Slices

Abstract

A highly active hierarchical MoS2/ZnIn2S4 composite catalyst was synthesized in situ by using a facile controlled-growth approach through a solvothermal process. During the solvothermal reaction, 2D ultrathin curled ZnIn2S4 nanosheets grew on the surface of MoS2 slices, which could help to form a more-homogeneous mixture, effective interfacial contact, and strong interactions between the ZnIn2S4 nanosheets and the MoS2 slices. The intimate contact between ZnIn2S4 and MoS2 favored the formation of junctions between the two components, thereby improving the charge separation and prolonging the mean lifetime of the electron-hole pairs. Moreover, growing ZnIn2S4 nanosheets by visible-light catalysis on MoS2 slices afforded a higher number of available catalytically active sites. So, the photocatalytic hydrogen-evolution performance of the hierarchical MoS2/ZnIn2S4 composite was significantly enhanced, owing to a synergistic effect of these factors. This work could provide new insights into the fabrication of a highly efficient and low-cost non-noble-metal co-catalyst for visible-light H2 generation.

Hierarchical ZnIn2S4/MoSe2 Nanoarchitectures for Efficient Noble‐Metal‐Free Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution under Visible Light

“…[12] Generally, noble metals such as Pt have been used as effectivec ocatalysts to modifyp ristine ZnIn 2 S 4 for H 2 evolution. [12,[22][23][24][25][26] Besides MoS 2 , [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] other molybdenum-based cocatalysts such as MoP, [30,31] Mo 2 N, [32] and Mo 2 C [33] have been widely used as cocatalysts for the modification of metal-sulfide H 2 -producing photocatalysts. Recently,c arbon-based nanomaterials such as carbon quantum dots, [16] reduced graphene oxide (RGO), [17][18][19] carbon nanofibers, [20] and carbonn anotubes [21] have been demonstrated to be efficient cocatalysts in combination with ZnIn 2 S 4 for photocatalytic H 2 evolution.…”

“…Apart from carbonaceous nanomaterials, cocatalysts such as MoS 2 decorated on ZnIn 2 S 4 also exhibit an excellent promoting effect for photocatalytic H 2 evolution. [12,[22][23][24][25][26] Besides MoS 2 , [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] other molybdenum-based cocatalysts such as MoP, [30,31] Mo 2 N, [32] and Mo 2 C [33] have been widely used as cocatalysts for the modification of metal-sulfide H 2 -producing photocatalysts. However,i nc ontrastw ith the aforementioned molybdenum-based or other metal-sulfide-based cocatalysts, metal selenides (particularly MoSe 2 )a re rarely considered as cocatalysts for photocatalytic H 2 generation.…”

A General Strategy toward Carbon Cloth‐Based Hierarchical Films Constructed by Porous Nanosheets for Superior Photocatalytic Activity

“…Figure shows the band potentials of ZIS and CIS in the heterostructure, which can meet the requirements to form a heterojunction with a straddling gap. This may facilitate the transfer of charge carriers and retard the electron–hole recombination, resulting in enhanced photocatalytic activity . The potentials of conduction and valence band (CB and VB) edges of ZIS and CIS were estimated via Mulliken electronegativity theory: E VB = X − E e + 0.5 E g , where E VB is the VB edge potential, X is the electronegativity of the semiconductor, E e is the standard electrode potential on the hydrogen scale (ca.…”

Water Splitting By Photocatalytic Reduction

“…The preparation of high surface area samples with mesoporous structures and exposed surface sites is still a great challenge and highly desired [161]. At this end, research efforts should be directed at constructing 2D nanosheets and nanoporous structures of metal sulfide solid solutions [158,[162][163][164]. In addition, the surface areas of metal sulfide solid solutions can be enhanced by loading them into the porous materials such as microporous and mesoporous silicas [165][166][167].…”

“…So far, many low-dimensional hybrid photocatalysts such as 0D-1D [183][184][185], 0D-2D [186][187][188][189], 1D-1D [190], 1D-2D [191][192][193][194][195][196][197], and 2D-2D [163,164,198,199] have been constructed and applied in environmental and clean energy areas. Here, we focus on the 0D-2D and 2D-2D hybrids and multijunction photocatalysts.…”