Tunable 0D/2D/2D Nanocomposite Based on Green Zn-Doped CuInS₂ Quantum Dots and MoS₂/rGO as Photoelectrodes for Solar Hydrogen Production

Abstract

Charge separation, transmission, and light absorption properties are critical to determining the performance of photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices. An important strategy to control such properties is based on using heterostructured materials. Herein, a tunable zero-dimensional (0D)/two-dimensional (2D) heterostructure is designed based on quantum dots (QDs) and 2D nanosheets (NSs). Specifically, eco-friendly Zn-doped CuInS2 QDs prepared by hot injection were anchored on hierarchical (2D/2D) MoS2/rGO (MG) NSs through a facile sonication-assisted method to develop a 0D/2D/2D heterojunction-based photoelectrode for solar hydrogen production. The interfacial structure and band alignment between the proposed 0D QDs and 2D/2D MG NSs were engineered by modulating the Zn molar ratio during the QD synthesis. As proof of concept, the optimized 0D/2D/2D photoanode exhibits almost five times higher PEC activity than MG/CuInS2 and MoS2/Zn-CuInS2 NSs due to the enhanced light absorption, efficient charge separation, and transmission. Zn doping and the presence of graphene are essential in enhancing performance in the proposed heterostructure, reducing recombination of charge carriers, and improving sunlight absorption. This work shows how optimal band alignment control and carbon addition can facilitate charge transfer, enabling the development of highly efficient PEC devices based on 0D/2D/2D heterostructure nanocomposites.

Recent advances in photoelectrochemical hydrogen production using I–III–VI quantum dots

“…The PEC performances of Cubased QD-sensitized photoanodes are summarized in Table 1. [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][83][84][85][86][87][88]…”

Exploring the Impact of Structural and Physical Properties of Layered Molybdenum Disulfide on Electrochemical Characteristics and The Sensitive Response to Chloramphenicol Detection

“…33 Electrochemical sensor performance was affected considerably by experimental parameters (pH value and accumulation time), so these parameters have been investigated and optimized. 34 The DPV curves of 50 μM CAP at MoS 2 -3/SPE with different pH values (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) were shown in Fig. S1.…”

“…In fact, both theoretical and experimental evidence have demonstrated that the addition of MoS 2 could greatly increase the electrochemical performance owing to these characteristics. [6][7][8][9][10] Indeed, Dinh et al 11 chose 2D-MoS 2 nanomaterial as an essential factor for the development of working electrodes in electrochemical sensor applications toward the sensitive determination of chloramphenicol (CAP). As expected, the MoS 2 -modified electrode offered a wider concentration linear range (0.5-50 μM) and a smaller LOD value (61 nM).…”

Synthesis and hybridization of CuInS2 nanocrystals for emerging applications

“…Apart from these cases, other systems like CuInS 2 –C, 207–209 CuInS 2 –Ti 3 C 2 210 and CuInS 2 –MoS x 211–213 have also been reported in recent years, based on either self-assembly of two-dimensional materials or e-beam evaporation-sulfurization. We would not emphasize too much on these systems because intrinsically they are not epitaxially grown.…”