Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution based on Cu2ZnSnS4, Cu2NiSnS4 and Cu2CoSnS4 nanocrystals

• CMTS (M = Ni, Co, Zn) nanocrystals synthesized by hot-injection method.
• CMTSs firstly investigated for the dye sensitized photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
• CNTS and CCTS nanocrystals serve as a highly efficient and stable catalysts.
• CMTSs are as an alternative to noble metals (such as Pt) for hydrogen evolution.
• CMTSs can be used in the fields of another energy conversion systems.

A low cost and environment-friendly Cu2ZnSnS4, Cu2CoSnS4 and Cu2NiSnS4 nanocrystals have been used as a catalyst instead of noble metal Pt for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution in the presence of triethanolamine and eosin Y as a sacrificial reducing agent and a photosensitizer, respectively under visible light irradiation. Cu2NiSnS4 and Cu2CoSnS4 nanocrystals exhibit a longer photostability and a higher hydrogen evolution rate of 1200 μmolg−1 h−1, 900 μmolg−1 h−1, respectively, compared to that of Cu2ZnSnS4 by producing hydrogen 670 μmolg−1 h−1.

Cu2ZnSnS4, Cu2CoSnS4 and Cu2NiSnS4 nanocrystals have been used as a catalyst instead of noble metal Pt for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution in the presence of eosin Y and triethanolamine as a photosensitizer and a sacrificial reducing agent, respectively under visible light irradiation.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide