Dual-vacancies modulation of 1T/2H heterostructured MoS2-CdS nanoflowers via radiolytic radical chemistry for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution

Chong Chen; Qiuhao Li; Fengqing Wang; Changjiang Hu; Jun Ma

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.200

Dual-vacancies modulation of 1T/2H heterostructured MoS₂-CdS nanoflowers via radiolytic radical chemistry for efficient photocatalytic H₂ evolution

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2024 May:661:345-357. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.200. Epub 2024 Jan 29.

Authors

Chong Chen¹, Qiuhao Li², Fengqing Wang², Changjiang Hu², Jun Ma³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 211106, PR China. Electronic address: chongchencc@nuaa.edu.cn.
² Department of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 211106, PR China.
³ Department of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 211106, PR China; School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui 230026, PR China. Electronic address: majun0502@ustc.edu.cn.

PMID: 38301471
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.200

Abstract

Precise defect engineering of photocatalysts is highly demanding but remains a challenge. Here, we developed a facile and controllable γ-ray radiation strategy to assemble dual-vacancies confined MoS₂-CdS-γ nanocomposite photocatalyst. We showed the solvated electron induced homogeneous growth of defects-rich CdS nanoparticles, while the symbiotic ^•OH radicals etched flower-like 1T/2H MoS₂ substrate surfaces. The optimal MoS₂-CdS-γ exhibited a H₂ evolution rate of up to 37.80 mmol/h/g under visible light irradiation, which was 36.7 times higher than that of bare CdS-γ, and far superior to those synthesized by hydrothermal method. The microscopic characterizations and theoretical calculations revealed the formation of such unprecedented dual-sulfur-vacancies ensured the tight interfacial contact for fast charge separation. Besides, the existence of 1T-MoS₂ phase further improved the conductivity and strengthened the adsorption interaction with H⁺ intermediate. Therefore, the radiolytic radical chemistry offered a facile, ambient and effective synthetic strategy to improve the catalytic performances of photocatalytic materials.

Keywords: 1T/2H MoS(2); CdS; Dual-vacancies modulation; Photocatalytic hydrogen production; Solvated electron.