Skeletal Cu7S4 Nanocages Wrapped by Few‐Layered Black Phosphorus Nanosheets as an Efficient H2 Production Photocatalyst. Issue 1 (6th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bhavani, P.; Praveen Kumar, D.; Putta Rangappa, A.; Hong, Yul; Gopannagari, Madhusudana; Amaranatha Reddy, D.; Kyu Kim, Tae
• Is Part Of: ChemCatChem. Volume 13:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 304
• Page End: 312
• Publication Date: 2020-11-06
• Subjects: Cu7S4 -- nanocage -- black phosphorus nanosheet -- photocatalyst -- H2 production; Catalysis -- Periodicals; 541.39505
• DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202001111
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1867-3880

Abstract

Abstract: Superstructures with hollow cage‐like hierarchical ordering play a predominant role in various applications owing to their unique properties, such as low density, an interior void, a high surface‐to‐volume ratio, and excellent permeability for charge and mass transport. Low‐cost hollow cage‐like copper sulfide superstructures are competitive candidates for optical and electrochemical applications because of their outstanding conductivity and extensive number of active sites. Thus, we synthesized crystallinity‐controlled nanotwinned polyhedral‐skeletal‐type copper sulfide cages (Cu7 S4 ). Further, these cages were wrapped by few‐layered black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets using simple strategies and tested for photocatalytic hydrogen production. The BP/Cu7 S4 hybrid material exhibited improved hydrogen production, i. e., 0.475 μmol h −1, which was 14‐fold greater than that achieved using pristine Cu7 S4 cages under optimal conditions. The enhanced activity was attributed to effective charge‐carrier separation and transportation owing to the advanced unique properties of skeletal‐type Cu7 S4 cages and few‐layered BP nanosheets. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a BP‐nanosheet‐wrapped Cu7 S4 system for photocatalytic hydrogen production. This system combining skeletal hollow cages with BP nanosheets is a new, fascinating, and inspiring approach for photocatalytic water‐splitting applications. Abstract : Caged catalysis : The simple and cost‐effective synthesis of noble metal‐free crystallinity‐controlled nanotwinned polyhedral‐skeletal‐type copper sulfide cages (Cu7 S4 ). Further, these cages were wrapped by few‐layered black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets using simple strategies. The hybridization of skeletal hollow cages with BP nanosheets suggests a new, fascinating, and inspiring approach for photocatalytic water‐splitting applications.