Exploring co-catalytic graphene frameworks for improving photocatalytic activity of Tin disulfide nanoplates

Abstract

The exploration of high efficient photocatalysts for water-splitting is a challenge as well as an opportunity for future applications in renewable sustainable energy. In this paper, a two dimensional photocatalytic Tin disulfide/graphene hybrid nanosheets (SnS2/rGO HNs) with identically 2D structural configurations have been prepared via a facile hydrothermal route. The as-prepared SnS2/rGO HNs photoanode demonstrates improved photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance when compared to bare SnS2 electrodes. X-ray diffraction pattern and Raman spectra are carried out and confirm that the as-prepared SnS2/rGO HNs are pure and well crystalized. Additional morphological and microstructural tests verify a high yield of SnS2/rGO HNs with good quality, indicating the relatively stability of graphene platform with high specific surface area. Further PEC measurements demonstrate the photocurrent density of SnS2/rGO HNs attain maximum under 100mW/cm2 when the applied potential is 0V and varies from 321nA/cm2 to 244nA/cm2 while the applied potential increase from 0V to 1.0V. Besides that, the duration test exhibits no detectable distinction after processing 25 cycles. The PEC improvement is proposed to derive from the positive synergetic effect between SnS2 and co-catalytic graphene framework. We hope this work can provide fundamental illustration about the PEC performance of two-dimensional SnS2/rGO HNs, offering extendable availabilities for its potential application into high-performance PEC and photovoltaic devices.