Constructing 2D/2D heterostructure of ZnIn2S4 nanosheets on cobalt doped MoS2 for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production performance

Rationally designing heterostructured photocatalysts to expedite the separation/transfer of photoinduced electrons/holes is regarded as an exceptionally efficient and simple strategy for promoting the photocatalytic hydrogen production from water splitting. To this end, an effective photocatalyst (Co-MoS2/ZIS) was constructed via in-situ growth of two-dimensional (2D) ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) nanosheets on 2D Co doped MoS2 (Co-MoS2) nanoplates to obtain 2D/2D heterostructure. The optimized 5 wt% 20-Co-MoS2/ZIS photocatalyst displays a remarkably higher photocatalytic water splitting performance with hydrogen generation rate of 2405.34 mu mol g- 1h- 1 than that of pure ZIS (419.69 mu mol g- 1h- 1). Additionally, it also demonstrates good stability and reusability with unconspicuous and insignificant decrease of activity after eight cycles and 24 h. The improved photocatalytic hydrogen production performance may be attributed to the extraordinary heterostructure of Co-MoS2/ZIS, the doping of Co in MoS2 and the thick/flat surface of Co-MoS2, which provide large close contact interface and plentiful active sites, and prevent the aggregation of ZIS and Co-MoS2, thus shortening the transport distance, improving the light absorption and accelerating the separation/transfer of the photoinduced electrons/holes. This work offers a rational and feasible method for coupling 2D ZIS nanosheets with other 2D nanoplates for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water splitting.