ZnS/polyaniline composites with improved dispersing stability and high photocatalytic hydrogen production activity

Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI)-ZnS composite photocatalysts with high photocatalytic hydrogen production activity were synthesized via a solvothermal method. Surface chemistry, crystalline property, optical property, surface morphology, surface area, photocurrent, and photocatalytic activity of the photocatalysts were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoelectrochemical (PEC), BET, FTIR, and photocatalytic H2 production tests. Incorporation of the conductive polymer PANI can help the separation of photogenerated charge through the PANI-ZnS interfaces in the photocatalysis process and enhance the photocatalytic activity and stability of the PANI-ZnS photocatalysts. In addition, the dispersing stability of the composite photocatalysts in water was also improved. The P-ZnS-40 photocatalyst with 40 wt% PANI exhibits optimized photocatalytic H2 production rate of 6570 μmol h−1 g−1. After 3 cycles, the photocatalytic activity of the recycled photocatalyst remained at about 96% of its original activity for the first run.