Fabrication of Ultrathin Two-Dimensional/Two-Dimensional MoS2/ZnIn2S4 Hybrid Nanosheets for Highly Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Ultrathin (ut) two-dimensional (2D) ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) nanosheets have exhibited great potential in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Herein, ultrathin 2D/2D MoS2/ZnIn2S4 (ut-MoS2/ZIS) were designed and prepared via two steps of the in situ hydro/solvothermal method. Benefiting from the ultrathin structure and the large and intimate contact between ut-ZIS and MoS2, the charge transfer was increased and the recombination of photogenerated carriers was suppressed. It is also noteworthy that 4 wt % ut-MoS2/ZIS gave the highest hydrogen evolution rate of 221.71 mu mol h(-1 )under visible light irradiation (lambda > 420 nm), and the apparent quantum yield was measured to be 11.8% at 420 nm. Meanwhile, ut-MoS2/ZIS showed high stability after 16 h of irradiation. PL, TRPL spectrum, and photoelectrochemical measurement demonstrated that MoS2 cocatalyst playeds a vitally important role in the separation of charge carriers and proton reduction reaction. This work is expected to inspire the design and development of highly efficient ultrathin photocatalysts.

Automated summary

In this study, ultrathin two-dimensional MoS2/ZnIn2S4 nanosheets (ut-MoS2/ZIS) were designed and prepared, showing high efficiency for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The increased charge transfer and suppressed carrier recombination were achieved by the ultrathin structure and the intimate contact between ut-ZIS and MoS2. The ut-MoS2/ZIS with 4 wt % exhibited the highest hydrogen evolution rate and good stability under visible light irradiation.