Synthesis of MoS2/SrZrO3 heterostructures and their photocatalytic H2 evolution under UV irradiation

Abstract

A novel heterojunction of a MoS₂/SrZrO₃ photocatalyst was successfully synthesized via a simple hydrothermal process and applied to photocatalytic H₂ evolution under UV light irradiation. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and EDX mapping. The heterostructure with an optimal content of 0.05 wt% MoS₂ exhibits the highest H₂ evolution rate of 5.31 mmol h⁻¹. This is due to the junction between SrZrO₃ and MoS₂, which suppresses the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. Our work indicated that the prepared MoS₂/SrZrO₃ heterostructured photocatalyst can be used as an effective material for water splitting.