Enhanced Photocatalytic Activities of RhB Degradation and H₂ Evolution from in Situ Formation of the Electrostatic Heterostructure MoS₂/NiFe LDH Nanocomposite through the Z-Scheme Mechanism via p–n Heterojunctions

Designing of an efficient heterostructure photocatalyst for photocatalytic organic pollutant removal and H₂ production has been a subject of rigorous research intended to solve the related environmental aggravation and enormous energy crises. Z-scheme-based charge-transfer dynamics in a p-n heterostructure could significantly replicate the inherent power of natural photosynthesis, which is the key point to affect the transportation of photoinduced exciton pairs. In this finding, a series of p-type MoS₂ loaded with n-type NiFe-layered double hydroxide (LDH) forming a heterostructure MoS₂/NiFe LDH were designed by electrostatic self-assembled chemistry and an in situ hydrothermal strategy for photocatalytic rhodamine B (RhB) dye degradation and H₂ production. The creation of p-n heterojunctions of type-II and Z-scheme mode of charge transfer modified the optical and electronic property of the as-synthesized MSLDH3, thereafter promoting the generation, separation, and migration of photoinduced electron-hole pairs. The as-synthesized MSLDH3 showed superior photocatalytic activities in degradation of RhB with H₂ evolution, which was enhanced by 3- and 4.5-fold and 10.9 and 19.2 times higher than that of NiFe LDH and MoS₂, respectively. Last but not the least, heterostructure MSLDH3 possesses practical stability for its resultant enhanced photocatalytic activity with recyclability for everyday life.