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Two dimensional (2D)/2D heterostructures with much interface is advantage to improve the transfer of photogenerated carriers. In this paper, SnS 2 nanosheets were horizontally grown on superior thin graphic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) nanosheets to construct 2D/2D heterostructures with enhanced photocatalytic performance. The g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets (CN) were obtained by a two-step thermal polymerization at 600 and 700 °C. the growth of SnS 2 nanosheets was then carried out using a solvothermal synthesis. Preparation parameters including temperature, reaction time, and precursor components were tested to get optimized SnS 2 /g-C 3 N 4 composite sample 8SnS 2 -CN. A Z-scheme mechanism was proposed for the discussion of photocatalytic process. The degradation test of Rhodamine B (Rh B) indicated that the degradation rate of Rh B using sample 8SnS 2 -CN was twice quick compared with g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets, in which Rh B degradation was completed within 15 min. The photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of sample 8SnS 2 -CN was about 6 times that that of sample CN, which is 1818.75 μmol g−1 L−1. Enhanced photocatalytic performance is ascribed to SnS 2 deposited to form well-developed interface which improved the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers. In addition, the growth of SnS 2 was also expended the photo adsorption. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slow kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) severely limits electrocatalytic water cracking for hydrogen (H 2) generation. Replacing sluggish OER with thermodynamically favorable urea oxidation reaction holds great promise for energy-efficient H 2 generation while also addressing the issue of urea-rich water contamination. In this paper, novel hollow nanorod arrays made of NiCoP nanosheets (denoted as NiCoP NSs@HNRAs) are created using an environmentally friendly and simple template-assisted electrodeposition and subsequent phosphorization method. The distinct HNRAs enable fast transport and short diffusion paths for electroactive species, as well as the high catalysts availability. Because of these structural advantages, NiCoP NSs@HNRAs have excellent electrocatalyst activity, requiring only a potential of 1.35 V (vs. RHE) to achieve a current density of 50 mA cm−2 with robust durability. Furthermore, an overall urea electrolysis system is constructed using commercial Pt/C as the cathode and NiCoP NSs@HNRAs as the anode, with an outstanding activity of 1.43 V and excellent stability at 50 mA cm−2. This paper presents a novel structural strategy for designing an electrocatalyst for urea-assisted energy-efficient H 2 generation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ternary oxide semiconductor could effectively adjust the energy band gap and location by changing the elemental ratio, which remarkably benefits the electron transfer and photoelectrocatalytic H 2 generation. In this paper, hydrangea-like CuBi 2 O 4 sensitizers were prepared on TiO 2 nanotube arrays (TiO 2 NTAs) by one-pot solvothermal deposition. The alkali kind showed vital influences on the microstructure and photoelectrocatalytic performance of CuBi 2 O 4 /TiO 2 NTAs, and the excellent pollutant remediation, photoelectric conversion and photoelectrocatalytic water splitting were achieved by the sample prepared by C 6 H 12 N 4. Under visible light irradiation, the optimized sample displayed the higher photoelectrocatalytic H 2 generation rate (87.42 μmol·cm−2·h−1) than that of samples prepared using other alkali kinds. Moreover, the CuBi 2 O 4 /TiO 2 NTAs also exhibited high organic dye and Cr(VI) removal performance, and the outstanding photoelectrocatalytic activity indicates the novel strategy for the construction of CuBi 2 O 4 /TiO 2 NTAs photocatalyst for H 2 generation by effective photocatalytic water splitting. [Display omitted] • Hydrangea-like CuBi 2 O 4 sensitizers were synthesized on TiO 2 NTAs. • The CuBi 2 O 4 /TiO 2 NTAs photocatalyst showed the high H 2 evolution capacity. • The preparation and photocatalytic mechanisms were explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction of synergistic photocatalysis system is regarded as an important concept for effectively utilizing solar energy. Herein, Ag nanoparticles decorated SnO 2 flower-like structure is designed and fabricated to synergistically realize efficient hydrogen production from water splitting. According to the results of density functional theory simulations and corresponding experimental analyses, it is identified that interfacial charge coupling of composite system intrinsically facilitate the efficient interfacial charge migration and separation. Moreover, introducing Ag nanoparticles not only expands response range of incident light for SnO 2 through LSPR effect but also reduces the hydrogen adsorption free energy in the catalytic process. Eventually, contributed by the enhanced interaction between reactants and catalysts and optimized carrier behavior, Ag/SnO 2 exhibits a faster hydrogen production rate than SnO 2. The research method designed in this paper may provide a new idea for research of photocatalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. [Display omitted] • LSPR effect of Ag expands the incident light response range of SnO 2. • Introduction of Ag improves carrier migration environment and carrier separation efficiency. • Enhanced interaction between reactants and catalysts is achieved. • Ag/SnO 2 exhibits enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]