Defect-rich MoS2/NiS2 nanosheets loaded on SiNWs for efficient and stable photoelectrochemical hydrogen production

Feifei Lin; Renren Tian; Pei Dong; Guofei Jiang; Fengting He; Shuaijun Wang; Rongbing Fu; Chaocheng Zhao; Ying-Ying Gu; Shaobin Wang

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2022.10.131

Defect-rich MoS₂/NiS₂ nanosheets loaded on SiNWs for efficient and stable photoelectrochemical hydrogen production

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2023 Feb;631(Pt A):133-142. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.10.131. Epub 2022 Nov 1.

Authors

Feifei Lin¹, Renren Tian², Pei Dong², Guofei Jiang², Fengting He², Shuaijun Wang³, Rongbing Fu⁴, Chaocheng Zhao², Ying-Ying Gu⁵, Shaobin Wang⁶

Affiliations

¹ Shandong Key Laboratory of Oil & Gas Storage and Transportation Safety, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, Shandong 266580, China; College of Chemical Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, Shandong 266580, China.
² College of Chemical Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, Shandong 266580, China.
³ School of Energy and Power Engineering, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu 212013, China.
⁴ Centre for Environmental Risk Management & Remediation of Soil & Groundwater, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
⁵ Shandong Key Laboratory of Oil & Gas Storage and Transportation Safety, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, Shandong 266580, China; College of Chemical Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, Shandong 266580, China. Electronic address: yingyinggu@upc.edu.cn.
⁶ School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.

PMID: 36375298
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.10.131

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) reaction with efficient, stable, and cost-effective photocathodes using non-precious metals will be one of the most environmentally friendly technologies for hydrogen (H₂) generation under the worldwide pressure for carbon neutrality. Herein, a new 3-dimentional (3D) SiNWs@MoS₂/NiS₂ photocathode was designed and synthesized. Defect-rich MoS₂/NiS₂ nanosheets on silicon nanowires (SiNWs) provide more active sites to promote charge transfer and photo-generated electron-hole separation. Meanwhile, the 3D structure of the photocathode provides an effective charge transfer mode and an open channel for rapid H₂ release. The SiNWs@MoS₂/NiS₂ photocathode exhibits the maximum photocurrent density (21.4 mA·cm^-2 at 0.9 V vs. RHE), highest H₂ production rate (183 μmol·h^-1), smallest diffusion resistance (34.7 Ω), and excellent catalytic stability for more than 10 h at pH = 7. Based on density function theory calculation, the MoS₂/NiS₂ nanosheets are conducive to chemical adsorption of H₂ intermediates, which are crucial for the maintenance of the composite photocathode in PEC H₂ production.

Keywords: 3D photocathode; Hydrogen production; MoS(2)/NiS(2) nanosheets; Photoelectrochemical reaction.