Abstract
SnS2 is a promising material for photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution under visible-light irradiation. However, its efficiency is limited by the insufficient separation of photogenerated carriers and the few number of catalytic reaction sites on the surface. Herein, CuS1-x/SnS2 photocatalysts were successfully constructed and synthesized via a two-step hydrothermal process. Metallic CuS1-x nanosheets with S vacancy grow on the surface of SnS2 nanosheets form the Ohmic junction with an internal electric field (IEF). The 9% CuS1-x/SnS2 composite obtains the optimal H2-production rate of 742.3 μmolh−1g−1 under visible light irradiation, which is 4.5 times higher than pure SnS2. Systematic experimental investigations reveal CuS1-x/SnS2 Ohmic junction enhances absorbance in the visible light region and facilitates the transfer and separation of photoexcited carriers, thus improving hydrogen production. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations shown CuS1-x/SnS2 has an optimal hydrogen adsorption free energy (ΔGH*) of −0.22 eV. This research provides guidance to design SnS2-based heterojunction photocatalysts to realize efficient solar-to-hydrogen fuel conversion.
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