Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution over Hierarchical Composites of ZnIn2S4 Nanosheets Grown on MoS2 Slices

A highly active hierarchical MoS2/ZnIn2S4 composite catalyst was synthesized insitu by using a facile controlled-growth approach through a solvothermal process. During the solvothermal reaction, 2D ultrathin curled ZnIn2S4 nanosheets grew on the surface of MoS2 slices, which could help to form a more-homogeneous mixture, effective interfacial contact, and strong interactions between the ZnIn2S4 nanosheets and the MoS2 slices. The intimate contact between ZnIn2S4 and MoS2 favored the formation of junctions between the two components, thereby improving the charge separation and prolonging the mean lifetime of the electron-hole pairs. Moreover, growing ZnIn2S4 nanosheets by visible-light catalysis on MoS2 slices afforded a higher number of available catalytically active sites. So, the photocatalytic hydrogen-evolution performance of the hierarchical MoS2/ZnIn2S4 composite was significantly enhanced, owing to a synergistic effect of these factors. This work could provide new insights into the fabrication of a highly efficient and low-cost non-noble-metal co-catalyst for visible-light H-2 generation.