title: MoS2/graphene cocatalyst for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution under visible light irradiation.
abstract: Exploiting noble-metal-free cocatalysts is of huge interest for photocatalytic water splitting using solar energy. Here we report a composite material consisting of CdS nanocrystals grown on the suface of a nanosized MoS2/graphene hybrid as a high-performance noble-metal-free photocatalyst for H2 evolution under visible light irradiation. Through the optimizing of each component proportion, the MoS2/G-CdS composite showed the highest photocatalytic H2 production activity when the content of the MoS2/graphene cocatalyst is 2.0 wt % and the molar ratio of MoS2 to graphene is 1:2. The photocatalytic H2 evolution activity of the proposed MoS2/G-CdS composite was tested and compared in Na2S-Na2SO3 solution and lactic acid solution. A 1.8 mmol/h H2 evolution rate in lactic acid solution corresponding to an AQE of 28.1% at 420 nm is not only higher than the case in Na2S-Na2SO3 solution of 1.2 mmol/h but also much higher than that of Pt/CdS in lactic acid solution. The relative mechanism has been investigated. It is believed that this kind of MoS2/G-CdS composite would have great potential as a promising photocatalyst with high efficiency and low cost for photocatalytic H2 evolution reaction.
authors.affiliation: International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), Environmental Remediation Materials Unit , 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan.
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Zongwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Shuxin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ouyang
authors.forename: Jinhua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ye