Ni-Mo ternary nitrides based one-dimensional hierarchical structures for efficient hydrogen evolution

Efficient semiconductor-cocatalyst junctions are of direct relevance to solar energy based fuel generation. Here, Ni-Mo ternary nitrides based one-dimensional hierarchical structures (In 2 S 3 -Ni 0.2 Mo 0.8 N(Ni)) have been successfully prepared and used to achieve visible light driven H 2 evolution. Because of the metallic-like properties of the transition metal nitrides, Ni 0.2 Mo 0.8 N(Ni) as co-catalysts can promote photo-generated charge-carriers transportation/separation and decrease the overpotential of H 2 -evolution. Thus, the photocatalytic property of optimal 1 wt% In 2 S 3 -Ni 0.2 Mo 0.8 N(Ni) exhibits a hydrogen evolution rate of 614.2 μmol g -1  h −1 , which is about 10 times as high as that of blank In 2 S 3 (61.4 μmol g −1  h −1 ). Besides, the pure Ni 0.2 Mo 0.8 N shows higher co-catalytic properties than Ni 0.2 Mo 0.8 N(Ni). This indicates that the metallic Ni (and related species) lowers the co-catalytic role of ternary nitrides. Another robust indication of this is the fact that In 2 S 3 -Ni 0.2 Mo 0.8 N nanohybrid displays about 2 times higher H 2 evolution rate than In 2 S 3 -Ni 0.2 Mo 0.8 N(Ni).