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Directional electron transfer in ZnIn₂S₄/Mo₂TiC₂-Ru for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Qing Xi1, Huimin Yan2, Fangxia Xie2
1Center of Shanxi Engineering Research for Coal Mine Intelligent Equipment, College of Safety and Emergency Management and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, PR China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Complex Air Pollution Control and Carbon Reduction, College of Environmental and Ecology, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, PR China; xinjiang Institute of Intelligent Equipment Technology, Aksu, 843000, China.
A new ZnIn2S4/Mo2TiC2-RuC composite enhances photocatalytic hydrogen evolution by improving electron transfer and reaction kinetics. This catalyst shows significant potential for efficient hydrogen production under visible and natural light.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photocatalysis
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) is hindered by poor electron utilization and slow reaction rates.
- Efficient electron transfer to active sites is key to improving PHE performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design a ternary composite, ZnIn2S4/Mo2TiC2-RuC, for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
- To investigate the role of Mo2TiC2-RuC as an electron acceptor and active site.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of the ZnIn2S4/Mo2TiC2-RuC composite.
- In-situ KPFM and Mott-Schottky measurements to study electron transfer.
- Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to analyze electronic structure and interactions.
Main Results:
- The composite exhibits an accelerated interfacial electron transfer from ZnIn2S4 to Mo2TiC2.
- DFT calculations confirm strong metal-support interaction and electron delocalization in Mo2TiC2-RuC.
- A high PHE rate of 6.15 mmol·g-1·h-1 was achieved under visible light.
Conclusions:
- The ZnIn2S4/Mo2TiC2-RuC composite effectively enhances electron utilization and reaction kinetics for PHE.
- The study presents a novel strategy for catalyst design by integrating electron transfer dynamics and active site engineering.
- The developed material shows promise for practical hydrogen production applications.
