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Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by ReS 2 via a Two‐Electron Catalytic Reaction
Author(s) -
Zhang Qin,
Wang Wenjie,
Zhang Jiaqian,
Zhu Xiaohui,
Zhang Qiqi,
Zhang Yujing,
Ren Zemian,
Song Shuaishuai,
Wang Jinming,
Ying Zihao,
Wang Rui,
Qiu Xiaohui,
Peng Tianyou,
Fu Lei
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201707123
Subject(s) - trion , catalysis , photocatalysis , electron , materials science , photochemistry , monolayer , hydrogen , reaction rate , exciton , transition metal , chemical physics , nanotechnology , chemistry , physics , condensed matter physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) is highly desirable for addressing the global energy crisis and environmental problems. Although much attention has been given to electron–hole separation, ridding photocatalysts of poor efficiency remains challenging. Here, a two‐electron catalytic reaction is developed by utilizing the distinct trion behavior of ReS 2 and the efficient reduction of two H + (2H + + 2e − → H 2 ) is realized. Due to the monolayer‐like structure of the catalyst, the free electrons in ReS 2 can be captured by the tightly bound excitons to form trions consisting of two electrons and one hole. These trions can migrate to the surface and participate in the two‐electron reaction at the abundant active sites. As expected, such a two‐electron catalytic reaction endows ReS 2 with a PHE rate of 13 mmol g −1 h −1 under visible light irradiation. Meanwhile, this reaction allows the typically poor PHE efficiency of pure transition metal dichalcogenides to be overcome. The proposed two‐electron catalytic reaction provides a new approach to the design of photocatalysts for PHE.