A novel hybrid artificial photosynthesis system using MoS2 embedded in carbon 
nanofibers as electron relay and hydrogen evolution catalyst

Niu, F.; Dong, C.-L.; Zhu, C.; Huang, Y.-C.; Wang, M.; Maier, J.; Yu, Y.; Shen, S.

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A novel hybrid artificial photosynthesis system using MoS₂ embedded in carbon nanofibers as electron relay and hydrogen evolution catalyst

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Maier, J.
Department Physical Chemistry of Solids (Joachim Maier), Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Max Planck Society;

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Citation

Niu, F., Dong, C.-L., Zhu, C., Huang, Y.-C., Wang, M., Maier, J., et al. (2017). A novel hybrid artificial photosynthesis system using MoS₂ embedded in carbon nanofibers as electron relay and hydrogen evolution catalyst. Journal of Catalysis, 352, 35-41.

Cite as: https://hdl.handle.net/21.11116/0000-000E-D52E-F

Abstract

Inspired by photosynthesis in nature, artificial photosynthesis (AP) systems have been widely investigated in the context of energy and environmental research. Here we report a noble-metal-free AP system for visible-light-driven H-2 generation from aqueous solutions consisting of fluorescein (FL) as photosensitizer, single-layer ultrasmall MoS2 nanoplates embedded in carbon nanofibers (CNF) as electron relay and redox catalyst, and triethanolamine (TEOA) as sacrificial electron donor. This CNF-MoS2/FL system exhibits outstanding H-2 evolution performance, with an H-2 generation rate that exceeds not only both MoS2/FL (by 100%) and CNF/FL (by 1100%), but also the Pt/FL system (by 40%). The excellent photocatalytic activity of this CNF-MoS2/FL system can be ascribed to the synergistic effects of CNF and MoS2 coupling: (1) the simultaneous presence of MoS2 with its delocalized and increased Mo 4d unoccupied states and of CNF with increased graphitic characteristics enables electron transfer from FL* to MoS2 via CNF electron relay; (2) the single-layered ultrasmall MoS2 nanoplates with short effective lengths for electron transfer and high density of reactive S-edges effectively catalyze the H-2 evolution reaction (HER). The presented work successfully fabricated a highly efficient AP system for solar H-2 production from a fully aqueous solution and indicated CNF-MoS2 as a promising candidate to replace Pt for solar fuel conversion. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.