Two dimensional ultrathin MoSe2 bedecked Zn0.5Cd0.5S for reinforced photocatalytic H2 generation and toxic Cr (VI) reduction

Metallic MoSe 2 with distinct platinum-like electronic configuration and compelling band gap structure exhibits zero approaching Gibbs free energy for H atom, hence can be approved as an ideal cocatalysts for H 2 evolution. However, the reports on MoSe 2 cocatalyst still leaves much room. Here, two dimensional ultrathin MoSe 2 nanosheets bedecked Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S nanoparticles were reported as efficient photocatalyst, in which metallic MoSe 2 nanosheets cocatalyst will do duty for electron sink to promote the separation of charge carriers and prolong the electrons lifetime, thus benefiting the improved photocatalytic H 2 evolution activity. As a result, Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S/MoSe 2 composite with an optimized 9 wt% MoSe 2 presents a higher H 2 evolution activity of 4853.3 μmol g -1 h −1 , 3.57 folds of pure Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S sample (1361.0 μmol g -1 h −1 ). Meanwhile, the greatly enhanced photo-reduction efficiency for toxic heavy metal Cr (VI) ion by Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S/MoSe 2 composite further certifies the promoted separation of electron- hole pairs. These results turned out that MoSe 2 is qualitied as candidate to serve as promising co-catalyst for photocatalyst energy conversion and decontamination.