Construction of Mo/Mo2C@C modified ZnIn2S4 Schottky junctions for efficient photo-thermal assisted hydrogen evolution

Photocatalytic water splitting on noble metal-free photocatalysts for H 2 generation is a promising but challenging approach to realize solar-to-chemical energy conversion. In this study, Mo/Mo 2 C nanoparticles anchored carbon layer (Mo/Mo 2 C@C) was obtained by a one-step in-situ phase transition approach and developed for the first time as a photothermal cocatalyst to enhance the activity of ZnIn 2 S 4 photocatalyst. Mo/Mo 2 C@C nanosheet exhibits strong absorption in the full spectrum region and excellent photo-thermal conversion ability, which generates heat to improve the reaction temperature and accelerate the reaction kinetics. Moreover, metallic Mo/Mo 2 C@C couples with ZnIn 2 S 4 to form ZnIn 2 S 4 –Mo/Mo 2 C@C Schottky junction (denoted as ZMM), which prevents the electrons back transfer and restrains the charge recombination. In addition, conductive carbon with strong interfacial interaction serves as a fast charge transport bridge. Consequently, the optimized ZMM-0.2 junction exhibits an H 2 evolution rate of 1031.07 μmol g −1  h −1 , which is 41 and 4.3 times higher than bare ZnIn 2 S 4 and ZnIn 2 S 4 –Mo 2 C, respectively. By designing novel photothermal cocatalysts, our work will provide a new guidance for designing efficient photocatalysts.