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

One-Pot Hydrothermal Route to Synthesize the Bi-doped Anatase TiO₂ Hollow Thin Sheets with Prior Facet Exposed for Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity

A simple one-pot hydrothermal synthesis route has been employed to fabricate the bismuth-doped (Bi-doped) anatase TiO₂ hollow thin sheets with {001} facets exposed. Controlling BiVO₄ precursor concentration plays a key role in tuning the morphology and the Bi doping concentration of TiO₂ hollow thin sheet catalysts. The photocatalytic activity of as-prepared catalysts was evaluated through the photodegradation of different organic dyes under visible light irradiation (>400 nm), including methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), rhodamine-B (RhB), and p-nitroaniline (PNA). Results showed that the optimal dopant of 0.8 atom % Bi in TiO₂ achieved the best photocatalytic activity, especially for possessing a much higher photodegradation of PNA, which could be ascribed to the results of photoinduced charge separation and transfer combined with low bulk recombination of charge carriers. This discussion demonstrates that the design of new TiO₂ nanostructures for application in solar energy conversion could be easily achieved by coupling Bi cation-doping and active facets with hollow thin sheet morphology