Synergistic Effect of a Molecular Cocatalyst and a Heterojunction in a 1 D Semiconductor Photocatalyst for Robust and Highly Efficient Solar Hydrogen Production. Issue 21 (12th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Daochuan; Irfan, Rana Muhammad; Sun, Zijun; Lu, Dapeng; Du, Pingwu
• Is Part Of: ChemSusChem. Volume 9:Issue 21(2016:Nov.)
• Page Start: 3084
• Page End: 3092
• Publication Date: 2016-10-12
• Subjects: electron transfer -- heterojunction -- hydrogen production -- molecular cocatalyst -- photocatalysis; Green chemistry -- Periodicals; Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201600871
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-5631

Abstract

Abstract: Photocatalytic production of hydrogen by water splitting is a promising pathway for the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy. However, the photocatalytic conversion efficiency is often limited by the sluggish transfer of the photogenerated charge carriers, charge recombination, and subsequent slow catalytic reactions. Herein, we report a highly active noble‐metal‐free photocatalytic system for hydrogen production in water. The system contains a water‐soluble nickel complex as a molecular cocatalyst and zinc sulfide on 1D cadmium sulfide as the heterojunction photocatalyst. The complex can efficiently transport photogenerated electrons and holes over a heterojunction photocatalyst to hamper charge recombination, leading to highly improved catalytic efficiency and durability of a heterojunction photocatalyst– molecular cocatalyst system. The results show that under optimal conditions, the average apparent quantum yield was approximately 58.3 % after 7 h of irradiation with monochromatic 420 nm light. In contrast, the value is only 16.8 % if the molecular cocatalyst is absent. Such a remarkable performance in a molecular cocatalyst‐based photocatalytic system without any noble metal loading has, to the best of our knowledge, not been reported to date. Abstract : Solar Synergy ! A photocatalytic system comprising a water‐soluble nickel complex as a molecular cocatalyst and zinc sulfide on 1D cadmium sulfide as the heterojunction photocatalyst was used for highly efficient photocatalytic production of H2 . Under optimal conditions, the average apparent quantum yield was calculated to be approximately 58.3 % after 7 h of irradiation with monochromatic 420 nm light.