Lotus-leaf-like Bi2O2CO3 nanosheet combined with Mo2S3 for higher photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

The exploration of multiple composite with heterojunction structures to replace single catalysts with insufficient capacity is significant for the photocatalytic evolution of high-yield hydrogen. In this case, the Mo(2)S3/Bi2O2CO3 composite with a unique n-n heterojunction and two-dimensional (2D) spatial structure was successfully prepared for the first time using the hydrothermal-physical mixture method. The percentage of Bi2O2CO3 in the composite can be easily adjusted by changing the amount of Bi2O2CO3 introduced into the physical mixing process. With a mass percentage of Bi2O2CO3 attained 3% to Mo2S3, the composite Mo2S3/Bi2O2CO3 with n-n heterojunction exhibited the highest photocatalytic effect among all as-prepared samples, with a photocatalytic effect 5 times higher than pure Mo2S3. The presence of Bi(2)O(2)CO3 and the synergistic interactions of n-n heterojunction significantly reduced the dispersity of short-rod shaped Mo2S3, as well as the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. As a result, electron circulation was improved, and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity under visible light was improved. In addition to improving the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution effect, the composite Mo2S3/Bi2O2CO3 has been found to have excellent stability, which is a noteworthy feature. A series of characterization results and semiconductor energy band structure were used to investigate the possible photocatalytic hydrogen evolution mechanism in the Eosin-Y (EY) sensitized Mo2S3/ Bi2O2CO3 system.

Automated summary

The exploration of multiple composite materials with heterojunction structures is important for high-yield hydrogen photocatalytic evolution. In this study, a Mo2S3/Bi2O2CO3 composite with a unique n-n heterojunction and 2D spatial structure was successfully prepared. The composite material with 3% Bi2O2CO3 exhibited the highest photocatalytic effect.