Highly efficient SnS2@Ag/AgVO3 heterostructures for improved charge carriers in photocatalytic H2 production

Ternary nanostructures are promising candidates for hindering the rapid recombination of photoexcited electron-hole pairs for photocatalytic H(2 )production. Herein, the enhanced charge carrier separation and improved visible-light absorption capability of the ternary geometry of Ag/AgVO3 with SnS2 is described. SnS2 @Ag/AgVO3 heterostructures were fabricated via a hydrothermal process, and H-2 generation was achieved using a solar light source and a lactic acid-water mixture. The formation of the SnS2@Ag/AgVO3 heterostructures was confirmed by spectroscopic and microscopic analyses. The SnS2@Ag/AgVO3 material showed higher photocatalytic H-2 performance (2802 mu mol/g/h) and quantum efficiency compared to that of SnS2 (215 mu mol/g/h) under solar light irradiation. It also exhibited long-term stability for eight repetitive cycles, after which the performance slightly declined. This enhancement in the water splitting activity of SnS2@Ag/AgVO3 was ascribed to the maximized interfacial contact between SnS(2 )and Ag/AgVO3, and the high visible-light absorptivity and efficiency of the photoinduced electron-hole pairs derived from SnS(2 )in the heterostructures. The SnS2@Ag/AgVO3 heterostructures were tested for H-2 generation, and a possible charge-carrier separation process and photocatalytic mechanism are suggested. Accordingly, a useful strategy for fabricating a visible-light-harvesting SnS2@Ag/AgVO3 heterostructure for solar energy con-version to H-2 fuel is presented. (C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study presents the enhanced charge carrier separation and improved visible-light absorption capability of ternary nanostructures of Ag/AgVO3 with SnS2. The SnS2@Ag/AgVO3 heterostructures showed higher photocatalytic H-2 performance and quantum efficiency compared to SnS2 alone under solar light irradiation. The enhanced activity of SnS2@Ag/AgVO3 can be attributed to the maximized interfacial contact between SnS2 and Ag/AgVO3, as well as the high visible-light absorptivity and efficiency of SnS2 in the heterostructures.