Metallic 1T phase molybdenum disulfide cocatalyst with abundant edge and substrate active sites for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production activity of zinc indium sulfide nanoflowers

The formation of composites by loading co-catalysts on semiconductor photocatalysts to improve hydrogen (H2) evolution performance is a feasible strategy. Metallic 1T phase molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as cocatalysts were decorated on zinc indium sulfide (ZnIn2S4) nanoflowers by a grinding method to construct 1T-MoS2@ZnIn2S4 composites. The H2 production rate of 1T-MoS2@ZnIn2S4 composites with optimum 7 wt% 1T-MoS2 loading achieves 15.6 mmol g-1 h-1, 5.5 times higher than ZnIn2S4 nanoflowers. The apparent quantum efficiency (AQY) increases from 3.1% (ZnIn2S4 nanoflowers) to 13.0% (1T-MoS2@ZnIn2S4 composites) under the wavelength light irradiation at λ=370 nm. The loading of metallic 1T-MoS2 with abundant edge and substrate active sites on ZnIn2S4 can enhance visible light absorption, promote the transfer of electrons, and inhibit carrier recombination, thereby improving photocatalytic performance. This work offers inspiration for the design of composite photocatalysts with efficient photocatalytic capabilities.