Efficient ZnS–ZnO/ZnAl-LDH composite for H2 production by photocatalysis. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gil, J. José; Aguilar-Martínez, Octavio; Piña-Pérez, Yanet; Pérez-Hernández, Raúl; Santolalla-Vargas, C.E.; Gómez, R.; Tzompantzi, F.
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 145(2020)
• Page Start: 124
• Page End: 132
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: ZnS–ZnO/ZnAl-LDH -- H2 production by photocatalysis -- Sulfidation by the solvothermal method; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.06.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: In the present work, the synthesis of ZnS–ZnO composites supported on ZnAl-LDH material with photocatalytic applications is proposed. The ZnS–ZnO/ZnAl-LDH composites showed to be efficient for the photocatalytic H2 production using UV light and methanol as sacrificial agent. The ZnO/ZnAl-LDH precursor material was synthesized by the coprecipitation method, then, it was partially sulfided using different contents of thiourea by the solvothermal method. The most photo-active material showed a H2 production of 1599 μmolh −1 g −1 and an apparent quantum yield of 37.9%. These materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Rietveld refinement, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and elementary mapping. The ZnS–ZnO/ZnAl-LDH composites exhibited a H2 evolution higher than the precursor material under the same conditions. The increase on the H2 production was attributed to the formation of ZnS–ZnO heterojunction; and in addition, the ZnAl-LDH material acts as a support promoting the dispersion of the ZnS–ZnO composite on its surface. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The ZnS–ZnO/ZnAl-LDH composites were obtained from the solvothermal synthesis. The ZnS–ZnO/ZnAl-LDH materials were active for H2 production by photocatalysis. The improvement of the photo-activity was attributed to the ZnS–ZnO heterojunction.