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Multifunctional MoS 2 ultrathin nanoflakes loaded by Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S QDs for enhanced photocatalytic H 2 production
Author(s) -
Su Tong,
Xiao Lingfeng,
Gao Yan,
Liu Tao,
Peng Xiaoniu,
Yuan Hui,
Han Yibo,
Ji Shuaihua,
Wang Xina
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.4596
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , materials science , hydrogen production , absorption edge , visible spectrum , quantum dot , band gap , absorption (acoustics) , charge carrier , semiconductor , quantum efficiency , catalysis , hydrogen , optoelectronics , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , photochemistry , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , engineering
Summary Two‐dimensional MoS 2 has been widely used as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) cocatalyst to load onto nanostructured semiconductors for visible light‐response photocatalytic hydrogen production. However, its another important role as light harvester because of the band‐gap tunable property and beneficial band position has been rarely exploited. Herein, few layer‐thick MoS 2 nanoflakes with extended light absorption over the range of 400 to 680 nm and a photocatalytic HER rate of 0.98 mmol/h/g have been obtained. Then 7‐nm‐sized Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S quantum dots (QDs) are selectively grown upon ultrathin MoS 2 nanoflakes for enhanced photocatalytic H 2 generation. Upon the photocatalytic, light absorption, and charge transfer properties of the MoS 2 ‐Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S composites evolved with the amount of MoS 2 from 0 to 3 wt%, the multiple roles of MoS 2 as long‐wavelength light absorber, in‐plane carrier mediator, and edge site‐active HER catalyst have been revealed. An optimum H 2 generation rate of 8863 μmol/h/g and a solar to hydrogen (STH) efficiency of 2.15% have been achieved for 2 wt% MoS 2 ‐Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S flakes. Such a strategy can be applied to other cocatalysts with both the light response and HER activity for efficient photocatalytic property.