Two Dimensional Ultrathin MoSe2 Bedecked Zn0.5Cd0.5S for Reinforced Photocatalytic H2 Generation and Toxic Cr (VI) Reduction

Abstract Metallic MoSe2 with distinct platinum-like electronic configuration and compelling band gap structure exhibits zero approaching Gibbs free energy for H atom, hence can be approved as an ideal cocatalysts for H2 evolution. However, the reports on MoSe2 cocatalyst still leaves much room. Here, two dimensional ultrathin MoSe2 nanosheets bedecked Zn0.5Cd0.5S nanoparticles were reported as efficient photocatalyst, in which metallic MoSe2 nanosheets cocatalyst will do duty for electron sink to promote the separation of charge carriers and prolong the electrons lifetime, thus benefiting the improved photocatalytic H2 evolution activity. As a result, Zn0.5Cd0.5S/MoSe2 composite with an optimized 9 wt% MoSe2 presents a higher H2 evolution activity of 4853.3 μmol g-1 h-1, 3.57 folds of pure Zn0.5Cd0.5S sample (1361.0 μmol g-1 h-1). Meanwhile, the greatly enhanced photo-reduction efficiency for toxic heavy metal Cr (VI) ion by Zn0.5Cd0.5S/MoSe2 composite further certifies the promoted separation of electron- hole pairs. These results turned out that MoSe2 is qualitied as candidate to serve as promising co-catalyst for photocatalyst energy conversion and decontamination.