Highly oriented MoS2@CdIn2S4 nanostructures for efficient solar fuel generation

Abstract Highly oriented MoS2@CdIn2S4 (CISM) heterostructured photocatalyst is reported herein forefficient hydrogen evolution and CO2 reduction applications. The catalyst is prepared by a simple hydrothermal method by varying MoS2 (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 wt%) and made a series of catalysts namely CIS, CISM0.5, CISM1 and CISM1.5, respectively for this study. The synthesized p–n heterojunction CISM1 photocatalyst showed efficient transfer of photoinduced carriers as well as close interfacial contact between MoS2 and CdIn2S4 in the hierarchical pseudo-spherical network. The catalyst CISM1 exhibits a hydrogen evolution rate of 2365 μ m ol.g−1h −1 which is two times higher than that of pristine CdIn2S 4 ( 1295 μ m ol ⋅ g−1h−1). Additionally, the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to methanol has been explored. The conversation rate methanol formation is in the order of CISM1>CISM1.5>CISM0.5>CIS>MoS2 as 1276, 1066, 856, 544 and 253 μ m ol.g−1h−1.cat, respectively. The photoelectrochemical study reveals that CISM1 exhibits 3 times higher in transition photocurrent (CISM1, 2. 25 μ A /cm2) compared to pristine material (CIS, 0. 85 μ A /cm 2). The formation of heterojunction between MoS2 and CdIn2S4 furthermore, provides an exquisite mechanism for tuning the band potential for enhanced photocatalytic activity. Time-resolved photoluminescence decay spectra of CIS and CISM1 show a longer average lifetime of 3.3 ns and 4.1 ns, respectively. Notably, the photocatalyst shows excellent stability and potential application in renewable fuel generation.