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Manganese Copper Sulfide Nanocomposites: Structure Tailoring and Photo/Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Generation
Author(s) -
Wang Jing,
Lim YeeFun,
Ho Ghim Wei
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201700865
Subject(s) - nanocomposite , materials science , photocatalysis , copper sulfide , electrochemistry , hydrogen production , copper , chemical engineering , electrocatalyst , nanoparticle , sulfide , water splitting , manganese , hydrothermal synthesis , nanostructure , nanotechnology , catalysis , inorganic chemistry , hydrothermal circulation , chemistry , electrode , organic chemistry , metallurgy , engineering
Abstract In this paper, we present an l ‐cysteine‐mediated hydrothermal synthesis of manganese copper sulfide (MCS) nanocomposites with versatile nanostructures and demonstrate their applications in photocatalytic and electrocatalytic hydrogen generation from water splitting. Variation of the Mn/Cu molar ratios in the precursors facilely tailors the MCS nanocomposites into one‐dimensional nanowires or two‐dimensional nanosheets, which are different from the zero‐dimensional nanoparticles of pure MnS and CuS. By virtue of the well‐interfaced heterojunctions formed, the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes is suppressed, giving rise to photocatalytic hydrogen generation behavior that is unattainable from either MnS or CuS. Moreover, the electrochemical conductivity is dramatically enhanced, rendering the MCS nanocomposites with improved electrocatalytic kinetics. This approach will contribute to an inexpensive and convenient synthetic strategy of transition‐metal‐based nanostructures for functional applications in photovoltaic, electrochemical, and catalytic fields.