A novel semi-metallic 1T′-MoReS3 co-catalyst

Abstract In this paper, we for the first time report that semi-metallic 1T′-MoReS3 acts as cocatalyst loading on the g-C3N4 nanotubes (NTs) through a solvothermal reaction process for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. 1T′-MoReS3/g-C3N4 composites with 7 wt% 1T′-MoReS3 exhibit an expressively enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity (2671 μmol·g−1·h−1), better than g-C3N4 NTs (61 μmol·g−1·h−1), 1T′-MoS2/g-C3N4 composites (2207 μmol h−1 g−1) and 1T′-ReS2/g-C3N4 composites (1600 μmol h−1 g−1). According to the DFT calculation and experimental data, the enhanced photocatalytic activity of 1T′-MoReS3/g-C3N4 composites is ascribed to the advantages as follows: 1) The porous g-C3N4 NTs with hollow structure possess short charge transfer distance and large surface area, promoting the light scattering and the transport of photoexcited carriers; 2) 1T′-MoReS3 as cocatalysts show a synergistic effect of 1T′-MoS2 and 1T′-ReS2 with better electrical conductivity, boosting the electron transfer process; 3) After loading 1T′-MoReS3 cocatalysts, 1T′-MoReS3/g-C3N4 composites show an improved light absorption and photoelectrochemical performance.