Layering MoS2 on soft hollow g-C3N4 nanostructures for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

• Hollow MoS2/g-C3N4 hybrids were synthesized.
• Hollow structure of g-C3N4 facilitates light harvesting and MoS2 dispersion.
• Hollow MoS2/g-C3N4 hybrids showed high photocatalytic H2 production activity.
• The reasons for the enhanced photocatalytic activity were revealed.

Hollow MoS2/g-C3N4 hybrids were obtained through a combination route of hard-templating technique and impregnation-sulfidation method. The physicochemical, optical/electric and electrocatalytic properties of the obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and electrochemical measurement. Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by H2 production from lactic acid aqueous solution with visible-light irradiation. The results showed that MoS2/HCNS nanojunctions exhibited enhanced photocatalytic H2 production, which could be attributed to the thin layered junctions formed between MoS2 and HCNS for efficient charge separation and the active sites provided by MoS2 for H2 production at lower over potentials.

Efficient hydrogen evolution catalysis has been achieved over polymeric hollow nanospheres modified with MoS2 under visible light. The hybrid nanocomposites enhances the light-harvesting ability, promotes fast charge separation and creates active sites to support hydrogen photosynthesis, giving an impetus to the rational design of hybrid nanocomposites based on earth-abundant elements for photocatalysis.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (135 K)Download as PowerPoint slide