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

Abstract

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