Synergetic photocatalytic effect between 1 T@2H-MoS₂ and plasmon resonance induced by Ag quantum dots

Semiconductor phase transitions and plasma noble metal quantum dots (QDs) for visible-light-driven photocatalysts have attracted significant research interest. In this study, novel microwave hydrothermal and photo-reduction methods are proposed to synthesise a visible-light-driven plasma photocatalytic 1T@2H-MoS₂/Ag composite. Photoelectrochemical results show that the introduction of the 1T phase and Ag significantly enhances the light response range and charge separation. The 1T phase can act as a co-catalyst to provide a high electron concentration. Ag QDs can effectively improve the light absorption and catalytic effect. The synergistic effect between the 1T@2H-MoS₂ microspheres and localised surface plasmon resonance of the Ag QDs can effectively enhance the photocatalytic activity of 1T@2H-MoS₂/Ag. The developed 1T@2H-MoS₂/Ag composite is superior, not only with respect to a visible-light photocatalytic degradation of conventional dyes, but also in the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI). Compared with 2H-MoS₂, the catalytic efficiency of 1T@2H-MoS₂/Ag for Cr(VI) and MB is increased by 81% and 41%, respectively. This study demonstrates that the introduction of 1T-MoS₂ and Ag QDs can significantly enhance the catalytic properties of 2H-MoS₂. The microwave and photo-reduction technologies can be employed as green, safe, simple, and rapid methods for the synthesis of noble metal plasma composites.