Self-assembled MoS2-GO Framework as an Efficient Cocatalyst of CuInZnS for Visible-Light Driven Hydrogen Evolution

A ternary heterostructured CuInZnS/MoS2-GO (graphene oxide) photocatalyst was constructed by a simple two-step hydrothermal method. The three-dimensional hierarchical architecture of MoS2-GO hydrogel was first synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method. The obtained MoS2-GO hydrogel with ultralow density and high surface area was redispersed into water and composite with CuInZnS. The resulting catalysts were analyzed by systematic characterizations including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Raman, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), et al. The noble metal-free composite exhibited dramatically enhanced photocatalytic performance toward hydrogen evolution. The enhanced solar water splitting performance could be ascribed to the synergetic effect of GO and MoS2. GO served as an electron acceptor and transporter while MoS2 provided abundant active sites for hydrogen evolution. We hope this work may give some perspectives on the construction of noble-metal free catalysts for visible-light driven hydrogen production.