Facile hydrothermal synthesis of 3D flower-like La-MoS2 nanostructure for photocatalytic hydrogen energy production

Three-dimensional (3D) flower-like MoS2 nanostructures were prepared via facile and cost-effective hydrothermal method by varying hydrothermal temperature (180 degrees C, 200 degrees C, and 220 degrees C) and reaction time (6, 12, 24, and 36 hours). The results demonstrated that the sample prepared at 200 degrees C for 24 hours have 3D flower-like MoS2 nanostructure (SEM) with hexagonal phase structure (XRD). Moreover, this novel photocatalyst was also modified by lanthanum element (La3+) with varying La3+ atomic ratio (0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%). Interestingly, the La3+ incorporation into MoS2 has good effect on the specific surface area and optical properties of MoS2 photocatalyst. Furthermore, the flower-like 3%LaMoS2 nanostructure photocatalyst exhibited 5.2-times higher efficiency for H-2 evolution via water splitting as compared with pure MoS2 under the same conditions. This superior efficiency of the photocatalyst for H-2 production arises from the positive synergistic effect between MoS2 and lanthanum in the composite photocatalyst due to higher surface area, enhanced light absorption, and inhibited electron-holes pair recombination. This study presents an expensive photocatalyst for energy production via water spitting.