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

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/gC(3)N(4) composites with 7 wt% 1T'-MoReS3 exhibit an expressively enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity (2671 mu mol.g(-1).h(-1)), better than g-C3N4 NTs (61 mu mol.g(-1).h(-1)), 1T'-MoS2/g-C3N4 composites (2207 mu mol h(-1) g(-1)) and 1T'-ReS2/g-C3N4 composites (1600 mu mol 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.

Automated summary

This study presents the first report on the use of semi-metallic 1T'-MoReS3 as a cocatalyst on g-C3N4 nanotubes for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, leading to significantly enhanced activity. The enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of the unique structures of g-C3N4 nanotubes and the electrical conductivity of 1T'-MoReS3 cocatalyst.