An effective photocatalytic hydrogen evolution strategy based on tunable band gap (CuIn)xZn2(1−x)S2 combined with amorphous molybdenum sulfide

Abstract

Fully utilizing the visible light and lowering the economic costs are the toughest challenges of photocatalytic water splitting. To address these issues, a non-noble metal photocatalyst, (CuIn)_xZn_2(1−x)S₂ solid solution with an adjustable band gap by modifying its composition, was synthesized. In addition, amorphous molybdenum sulfide (a-MoS_x) was compounded as a co-catalyst on the surface of the solid solution. Compared with crystalline molybdenum sulfide (MoS₂), a-MoS_x can provide more active sites and reduce the activation energy of hydrogen evolution reactions more effectively. The (CuIn)_0.2Zn_1.6S₂ (CIZS) photocatalyst loaded with 3 wt% a-MoS_x exhibited the best photocatalytic performance with a hydrogen evolution rate of 2100 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹.