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Creating Multiple Parallel Internal Phase Junctions on ZnS Nanoparticles as Highly Active Catalytic Sites
Author(s) -
Liu Wei,
Ha Enna,
Wang Luyang,
Hu Liangsheng,
Lee Lawrence Yoon Suk,
Wong KwokYin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced materials interfaces
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.671
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 2196-7350
DOI - 10.1002/admi.201800611
Subject(s) - materials science , overpotential , catalysis , wurtzite crystal structure , zinc sulfide , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , nanoparticle , photocatalysis , nanomaterials , phase (matter) , chemical engineering , water splitting , adsorption , sphalerite , nanotechnology , zinc , chemistry , electrode , quartz , organic chemistry , electrochemistry , composite material , metallurgy , engineering
Semiconductors based on earth‐abundant elements such as ZnS are economic materials for energy conversion but are often limited by their light absorption property and fast charge recombination. Herein, a solvothermal preparation of ZnS nanocrystals with multiple internal phase junctions (MIPs) of alternating wurtzite and sphalerite phases, which exhibit dramatically enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) rate (6.9 mmol g −1 h −1 ) under simulated sunlight is reported. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates zinc atoms of different electronic environments on the surface of ZnS. The MIP‐rich ZnS has substantially lower overpotential for electrocatalytic HER, probably due to the synergistic effect of easier H + adsorption and enhanced H 2 desorption on the active sites. This work paves a new route of reforming nanomaterials to acquire intrinsically enhanced catalytic properties for energy conversion applications.