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MoS2/NiTiO3 Heterojunctions as Photocatalysts: Improved Charge Separation for Promoting Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production Activity

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Abstract

In this study, a novel molybdenum disulfide modified nickel titanate composite photocatalyst MoS2/NiTiO3 was designed and synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. The petal-like MoS2 is highly dispersive, which provides many active sites. The photocatalytic activity of MoS2/NiTiO3 for hydrogen evolution is better than that of pure MoS2 and NiTiO3 nanosheets. The hydrogen evolution amount of MoS2/NiTiO3 is 300.43 μmol, which is 5.3 and 1.9 times higher than of pure NiTiO3 and MoS2, respectively. In addition, the catalyst 7% MoS2/NiTiO3 has good stability through cyclic experiments. The results of photoluminescence spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical measurements show that the introduction of MoS2 accelerates the separation and transfer efficiency of photogenerated electrons. We have also proposed new discoveries for charge transfer mechanism of MoS2/NiTiO3 composite catalyst, which will provide a novel way to develop simple and inexpensive photocatalysts.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Province (NZ17262).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan, 750021, People’s Republic of China

    Yanru Li, Jing Xu, Meirong Peng, Zeying Liu, Xuanhao Li & Sheng Zhao

  2. Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Technology (North Minzu University), State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Yinchuan, 750021, People’s Republic of China

    Jing Xu

  3. Ningxia Key Laboratory of Solar Chemical Conversion Technology, North Minzu University, Yinchuan, 750021, People’s Republic of China

    Jing Xu

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  1. Yanru Li
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Correspondence to Jing Xu.

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Li, Y., Xu, J., Peng, M. et al. MoS2/NiTiO3 Heterojunctions as Photocatalysts: Improved Charge Separation for Promoting Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production Activity. Catal Surv Asia 23, 277–289 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10563-019-09282-4

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