Photogalvanic generation of dihydrogen by water splitting using MoS 4 2− as catalyst

Abstract

A 4% solar energy efficiency has been achieved for photogeneration of dihydrogen IH2) using MoS ] as catalyst, when the anode compartment of a photogalvanic cell is illuminated. The generated photocurrent rises slowly with time and reaches a limiting value. Ten hours after the reaction starts, a secondary dark reaction sets in which produces Hz and photocurrent even when the light is switched off. Possible mechanisms in both cases have been suggested.