3D porous BN/rGO skeleton embedded by MoS2 nanostructures for simulated-solar-light induced hydrogen production

Solar-induced water splitting is a very promising approach for hydrogen production. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is an important transition metal sulfide to synthesize high-efficient photocatalysts due to its narrow bandgap. However, the low-crystallinity and serious photo-corrosion of MoS2 generally leads to the weak structural stability, further resulting in the remarkably decreased photocatalytic performance. Herein, the MoS2 nanostructures were embedded on the surface of 3D porous BN/rGO (BNG) skeleton to fabricate the 3D BNGMoS(2) (BNG-M) composite. Due to the typical 3D porous structure and synergetic heterointerface, abundant active sites were exposed, and fast interfacial charge mobility and good photoresponsivity were presented, thereby the optimum 3D BNG-M catalyst presented remarkably enhanced HER rate of 1490.3 mu mol.h(-1).g (1) under simulated-solar-light (SSL), which is 58.2 and 12.2-fold greater of pure MoS2 and 3D porous BNG skeleton, and is more prominent than many reported MoS2 and BN based catalysts. Its apparent quantum yields (AQY) is basically consistent with its UV-vis absorption spectrum. Meanwhile, the prominent durability and reproducibility were achieved by this catalyst. This study provides an important insight to construct the photocatalyst with abundant active sites for achieving high-efficient SSL-induced HER activity.

Automated summary

Solar-induced water splitting is a promising method for hydrogen production, and MoS2 is an important material for synthesizing efficient photocatalysts. By embedding MoS2 nanostructures on a 3D porous BN/rGO skeleton, the BNG-M composite showed enhanced HER rate and durability, with abundant active sites and fast interfacial charge mobility. The catalyst also displayed high photoresponsivity and outperformed many reported MoS2 and BN based catalysts.