Construction of MoS2/CND-WO3 Ternary Composite for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

• Published in: Journal of inorganic and organometallic polymers and materials Vol. 28; no. 5; pp. 2160 - 2168
• Main Author: Tahir, M. B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.09.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Bonding strength; Charge efficiency; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Crystal structure; Crystallography; Electromagnetic absorption; Emission analysis; Emission spectra; Hexagonal phase; Hydrogen evolution; Inorganic Chemistry; Molybdenum disulfide; Morphology; Optical properties; Organic Chemistry; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; Photoluminescence; Polymer Sciences; Separation; Solid phases; Specific surface; Spectrum analysis; Surface area; Surface chemistry; Tungsten oxides; Water splitting; Photocatalytic activity; Nanostructures; Hydrogen evolution; Photocatalysis
• ISSN: 1574-1443; 1574-1451
• DOI: 10.1007/s10904-018-0867-y

In the current work, photocatalysts with high efficiency and ability to drive under visible light were fabricated through the optimal incorporation of MoS 2 into carbon nanodots (CND)-WO 3 composites for hydrogen (H 2 ) evolution through water splitting process under visible light illumination. XRD, SEM, EDX, BET, UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence emission (PL) spectroscopy were utilized to investigate the specific surface area, optical properties crystallographic structure, morphology, purity and elemental composition. The experimental results confirmed the monoclinic and hexagonal phase structure for composite nanostructures with average nanoparticle size of 8 nm. The efficient charge separation in ternary photocatalyst was confirmed through photoluminescence emission spectra. The photocatalytic performance of the ternary composite (1% MoS 2 /CND-WO 3 ) was found superior when compared to that of pure and binary photocatalysts. However, further increase in concentration of MoS 2 into composite has lessened the photocatalytic performance. The improved H 2 evolution activity was ascribed to enhance efficiency of charge separation, extended region of visible-light absorption, strengthened W–O–C bonds, availability of more no. of active sites for reaction and high specific surface area. Considering our present study as cost-effective strategy, the as-synthesized photocatalysts can be favorable and give a new perspective for applied use in energy and environmental applications.