The influence of the size of a one-faced metallic head in Janus nanoparticles as a co-catalyst on the photocatalytic efficiency of hydrogen evolution under vis light irradiation

Abstract

Janus nanoparticles (NPs) consisting of MoOxSy nanospheres and silver (Ag) head, successfully developed by a simple, controlled method were in the first time they were applied as a co-catalysts in photocatalytic hydrogen generation reaction under vis light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). The MoOxSy-Ag as a co-catalysts were deposited on the obtained ZnIn2S4 microspheres (ZIS) using physical absorption method. The influence of the size of a one-faced metallic head (Ag) in JNPs as a co-catalyst on the photocatalytic efficiency of hydrogen evolution has been investigated. Sample 2.5-Ag-MoOxSy@ZIS with the co-catalyst with the smallest head in the range of about 61–71 nm was characterized by 34 times higher photocatalytic hydrogen generation activity compared to pure ZIS. JNPs as a co-catalyst are characterized as asymmetric structure and precisely adjusted interface and thus, they influence on a very good electron mobility in hybrid metal-semiconductor nanostructures. JNPs can be a new alternativity to metal co-catalysts used in a photocatalytic hydrogen production reaction.