Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of CuInS{sub 2} loaded TiO{sub 2} under solar light irradiation

Journal Article · Sun Mar 15 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2015.02.011· OSTI ID:22475641

Li, Changjiang ^[1]; Xi, Zhenhao; Fang, Wenzhang; Xing, Mingyang ^[2]; Zhang, Jinlong ^[2]

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1. Department of Chemistry, Huangshan University, Huangshan 245041 (China)
2. Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Institute of Fine Chemicals, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237 (China)

In this paper, p–n type CuInS{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} particles were prepared in ethylenediamine by the solvothermal method. The microstructural properties of the synthesized p–n type catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) in order to confirm the existence of crystalline CuInS{sub 2} on the surface of TiO{sub 2}, which was also confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images provided the detailed morphological properties about the CuInS{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} heterostructure. UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS) was used to investigate the optical properties of the CuInS{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} particles. The DRS results indicated that both the p–n type structure and CuInS{sub 2} acting as a sensitizer can enhance significantly the absorption of UV and visible light. The photocatalytic activities of the CuInS{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} particles were evaluated by hydrogen evolution reactions using Xe-lamp irradiation as a simulated solar light source. The greatly enhanced photocatalytic activity of hydrogen evolution under simulated solar light is about ~7 fold higher than that of pure commercial TiO{sub 2} (Degussa P25). - Graphical abstract: The heterojunction structure of CuInS{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} promoted the efficiency of photoinduced charge carrier transfer and highly inherited the recombination of activated electrons and holes. - Highlight: • CuInS{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} was prepared by a one-step solvothermal method. • 2.5% CuInS{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} has the highest activity and keeps the activity stable. • Heterojunction structure of sample promoted the separation of electrons and holes.

• OSTI ID: 22475641
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 226; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CATALYSTS
CHARGE CARRIERS
COPPER SULFIDES
ELECTRONS
HETEROJUNCTIONS
HOLES
INDIUM SULFIDES
IRRADIATION
MICROSTRUCTURE
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOCATALYSIS
RECOMBINATION
SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE
TITANIUM OXIDES
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
VISIBLE RADIATION
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY