Core–shell Cu1.94S–MnS nanoheterostructures synthesized by cation exchange for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Nanoheterostructures synthesized by cation exchange present the integration of synergetic designs into high-quality, well-defined catalysts for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. In this study, we synthesise core–shell Cu_1.94S–MnS nanoheterostructured photocatalysts using a cation exchange reaction by employing djurleite Cu_1.94S nanospheres as starting templates. Under simulated sunlight, the heterostructures exhibit a hydrogen evolution efficiency as high as 878.1 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹, representing 60-fold and 41-fold enhancement compared with pure Cu_1.94S and MnS, respectively. As verified by photoelectrochemical characterization, the improved hydrogen production activity of the Cu_1.94S–MnS nanoheterostructures can be attributed to their stronger light response characteristics and more effective charge transfer ability, which opens up opportunities to promote the photocatalytic performance using rationally designed nanostructures.