In situ photo-assisted deposition of MoS₂ electrocatalyst onto zinc cadmium sulphide nanoparticle surfaces to construct an efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen generation

Nanoscale. 2013 Feb 21;5(4):1479-82. doi: 10.1039/c2nr34037b.

Abstract

We reported herein a facile and scalable preparation process for MoS(2)-decorated Zn(x)Cd(1-x)S hybrid photocatalysts for hydrogen generation. Zn(x)Cd(1-x)S nanopowder was first prepared from commercially available precursors employing a solution based process. MoS(2) hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst was then loaded onto the Zn(x)Cd(1-x)S nanopowder via a photo-assisted deposition process which employed mild conditions (room temperature, atmospheric pressure and visible light illumination). Thus, this process represents an important advantage in the large scale production of semiconductor/MoS(2) hybrid photocatalysts in comparison to the conventional method relying on thermal decomposition of (NH(4))(2)[MoS(4)] precursor at high temperature and under H(2)S pressure. The best Zn(0.2)Cd(0.8)S/MoS(2) 3% showed two hundred-and-ten times (210 times) faster hydrogen generation rate on visible light illumination compared with that obtained for un-treated Zn(0.2)Cd(0.8)S. That was the most impressive catalytic enhancement ever recorded for a semiconductor photocatalyst decorated with a noble metal free electrocatalyst.

MeSH terms

  • Cadmium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Cadmium Compounds / radiation effects
  • Catalysis
  • Hydrogen / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen / isolation & purification*
  • Light
  • Materials Testing
  • Molybdenum / chemistry*
  • Molybdenum / radiation effects
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / radiation effects
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Sulfides / chemistry*
  • Sulfides / radiation effects
  • Surface Properties / radiation effects
  • Zinc Compounds / chemistry*
  • Zinc Compounds / radiation effects

Substances

  • Cadmium Compounds
  • Sulfides
  • Zinc Compounds
  • cadmium sulfide
  • Hydrogen
  • Molybdenum
  • zinc sulfide