A novel noble-metal-free Mo2C-In2S3 heterojunction photocatalyst with efficient charge separation for enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution under visible light

Currently, designing novel noble-metal-free photocatalysts with efficient carriers migration and catalytically active sites have been a researching hotspot in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. In this paper, a novel noble-metal-free Mo 2 C-In 2 S 3 heterojunction was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. Morphology characterization revealed In 2 S 3 was attached to Mo 2 C. Electrochemical results showed Mo 2 C improved the interface conductivity, and promoted the transportation of photogenerated carriers. Under visible light, the optimal Mo 2 C-In 2 S 3 composite achieved a H 2 generation rate of 535.58 μmol h −1 g −1 , which was 175.6 and 25.8 times higher than pristine In 2 S 3 (3.05 μmol h −1 g −1 ) and In 2 S 3 -1% Pt (20.73 μmol h −1 g −1 ). In addition, a reasonable mechanism of the elevated photocatalytic activity was also discussed. This study demonstrates commercial Mo 2 C has an important effect of separating carriers and replacing Pt as co-catalyst in heterojunctions. This research also provides a method to design and synthesize new noble-metal-free photocatalysts for excellent hydrogen production activity.