Mesoporous Dual-Semiconductor ZnS/CdS Nanocomposites as Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation
The development of functional catalysts for the photogeneration of hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) via water-splitting is crucial in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. To that end, metal-sulfide semiconductors, such as CdS and ZnS, can play a significant role in the process due to the...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/13/17/2426 |
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| author | Ioannis Vamvasakis Evangelos K. Andreou Gerasimos S. Armatas |
| author_facet | Ioannis Vamvasakis Evangelos K. Andreou Gerasimos S. Armatas |
| author_sort | Ioannis Vamvasakis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The development of functional catalysts for the photogeneration of hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) via water-splitting is crucial in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. To that end, metal-sulfide semiconductors, such as CdS and ZnS, can play a significant role in the process due to their interesting optoelectronic and catalytic properties. However, inefficient charge-carrier dissociation and poor photochemical stability remain significant limitations to photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, dual-semiconductor nanocomposites of ZnS/CdS nanocrystal assemblies (NCAs) are developed as efficient visible light photocatalysts for H<sub>2</sub> generation. The resultant materials, synthesized via a polymer-templated self-polymerization method, comprise a unique combination of ~5–7 nm-sized metal-sulfide nanoparticles that are interlinked to form a 3D open-pore structure with large internal surface area (up to 285 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup>) and uniform pores (circa 6–7 nm). By adjusting the ratio of constituent nanoparticles, the optimized ZnS/CdS catalyst with 50 wt.% ZnS content demonstrates a remarkable stability and visible light H<sub>2</sub>-evolution activity (~29 mmol g<sup>−1</sup> h<sup>−1</sup> mass activity) with an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 60% at 420 nm. Photocatalytic evaluation experiments combined with electrochemical and spectroscopic studies suggest that the superior photocatalytic performance of these materials stems from the accessible 3D open-pore structure and the efficient defect-mediated charge transfer mechanism at the ZnS/CdS nanointerfaces. Overall, this work provides a new perspective for designing functional and stable photocatalytic materials for sustainable H<sub>2</sub> production. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:16:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ff9d69ec2fe04438b62184e4fe2e2b96 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:16:56Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj.art-ff9d69ec2fe04438b62184e4fe2e2b962023-11-19T08:36:30ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912023-08-011317242610.3390/nano13172426Mesoporous Dual-Semiconductor ZnS/CdS Nanocomposites as Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysts for Hydrogen GenerationIoannis Vamvasakis0Evangelos K. Andreou1Gerasimos S. Armatas2Department of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, GreeceDepartment of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, GreeceDepartment of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, GreeceThe development of functional catalysts for the photogeneration of hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) via water-splitting is crucial in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. To that end, metal-sulfide semiconductors, such as CdS and ZnS, can play a significant role in the process due to their interesting optoelectronic and catalytic properties. However, inefficient charge-carrier dissociation and poor photochemical stability remain significant limitations to photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, dual-semiconductor nanocomposites of ZnS/CdS nanocrystal assemblies (NCAs) are developed as efficient visible light photocatalysts for H<sub>2</sub> generation. The resultant materials, synthesized via a polymer-templated self-polymerization method, comprise a unique combination of ~5–7 nm-sized metal-sulfide nanoparticles that are interlinked to form a 3D open-pore structure with large internal surface area (up to 285 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup>) and uniform pores (circa 6–7 nm). By adjusting the ratio of constituent nanoparticles, the optimized ZnS/CdS catalyst with 50 wt.% ZnS content demonstrates a remarkable stability and visible light H<sub>2</sub>-evolution activity (~29 mmol g<sup>−1</sup> h<sup>−1</sup> mass activity) with an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 60% at 420 nm. Photocatalytic evaluation experiments combined with electrochemical and spectroscopic studies suggest that the superior photocatalytic performance of these materials stems from the accessible 3D open-pore structure and the efficient defect-mediated charge transfer mechanism at the ZnS/CdS nanointerfaces. Overall, this work provides a new perspective for designing functional and stable photocatalytic materials for sustainable H<sub>2</sub> production.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/13/17/2426cadmium sulfidezinc sulfidemetal chalcogenidesnanoparticlesmesoporous materialsnanocomposites |
| spellingShingle | Ioannis Vamvasakis Evangelos K. Andreou Gerasimos S. Armatas Mesoporous Dual-Semiconductor ZnS/CdS Nanocomposites as Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation Nanomaterials cadmium sulfide zinc sulfide metal chalcogenides nanoparticles mesoporous materials nanocomposites |
| title | Mesoporous Dual-Semiconductor ZnS/CdS Nanocomposites as Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation |
| title_full | Mesoporous Dual-Semiconductor ZnS/CdS Nanocomposites as Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation |
| title_fullStr | Mesoporous Dual-Semiconductor ZnS/CdS Nanocomposites as Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mesoporous Dual-Semiconductor ZnS/CdS Nanocomposites as Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation |
| title_short | Mesoporous Dual-Semiconductor ZnS/CdS Nanocomposites as Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation |
| title_sort | mesoporous dual semiconductor zns cds nanocomposites as efficient visible light photocatalysts for hydrogen generation |
| topic | cadmium sulfide zinc sulfide metal chalcogenides nanoparticles mesoporous materials nanocomposites |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/13/17/2426 |
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