Solvothermal fabrication of MoS2 anchored on ZnIn2S4 microspheres with boosted photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity

The MoS₂/ZnIn₂S₄ composites with MoS₂ anchored on the surface of ZnIn₂S₄ microspheres were fabricated by a facile solvothermal method. To clarify the crystal phases, morphologies, chemical compositions, optical properties, and special surface areas of the obtained photocatalysts, the corresponding characterization measurements were performed. The photocatalytic H₂ evolution activities of MoS₂/ZnIn₂S₄ composites were evaluated and compared with using lactic acid as sacrificial reagents. The results showed that integrating MoS₂ with ZnIn₂S₄ could remarkably boost the photocatalytic H₂ evolution performance and the maximum H₂ evolution rate of 201 μmol h^?1 was achieved over 1 wt% MoS₂ loading on the ZnIn₂S₄, corresponding to the apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) about 3.08% at 420 nm monochromatic light. The photoelectrochemical tests and photoluminescence spectra (PL) versified that the efficient charge transfer and separation were achieved over MoS₂/ZnIn₂S₄ composite in contrast with single ZnIn₂S₄, which would significantly benefit the enhancement of photocatalytic H₂ activity. This work provides a desired strategy to design and synthesize the visible-light-response photocatalysts with MoS₂ as cocatalysts to enhance the photocatalytic activity.