title: Synthesis of layer-like Ni(OH)2decorated ZnIn2S4sub-microspheres with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production activity.
abstract: Novel layer-like Ni(OH)2co-catalyst-decorated ZnIn2S4microsphere photocatalysts were synthesized for the first time via a facile in situ deposition method to boost the photocatalytic H2-production performance. The physical and optical properties of the as-prepared Ni(OH)2-ZnIn2S4composite samples were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis diffusion reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPV). The results indicate that the photocatalytic H2evolution activity of the ZnIn2S4microspheres under visible light irradiation significantly enhances by introducing inexpensive Ni(OH)2as a co-catalyst. The 5 mol% Ni(OH)2-ZnIn2S4sample shows the highest H2-production rate of 8.35 mmol g-1h-1, which is 18 times higher than that of pure ZnIn2S4. Moreover, photocatalytic activity of the Ni(OH)2-ZnIn2S4sample remains stable even after 4 cycling photocatalytic experiments. In addition, a possible mechanism on the enhanced photocatalytic activity was proposed and verified by surface photovoltage spectroscopy.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, College of Science, China University of Petroleum Beijing, No. 18 Fuxue Rd., Beijing 102249, People's Republic of China. gelei08@sina.com.
authors.forename: Songsong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dongsheng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Yangqin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Changcun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Xiao