Coupling of Crumpled-Type Novel MoS 2 with CeO 2 Nanoparticles: A Noble-Metal-Free p–n Heterojunction Composite for Visible Light Photocatalytic H 2 Production

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide In terms of solar hydrogen production, semiconductor-based photocatalysts via p–n heterojunctions play a key role in enhancing future hydrogen reservoir. The present work focuses on the successful synthesis and characterization of a novel p-MoS 2 /n-CeO 2 heterojunction photocatalyst for excellent performance toward solar hydrogen production. The synthesis involves a simple in situ hydrothermal process by varying the wt % of MoS 2 . The various characterization techniques support the uniform distribution of CeO 2 on the surface of crumpled MoS 2 nanosheets, and the formation of p–n heterojunction is further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and Mott–Schottky analysis. Throughout the experiment, it is demonstrated that 2 wt % MoS 2 in the MoS 2 /CeO 2 heterojunction photocatalyst exhibits the highest rate of hydrogen evolution with a photocurrent density of 721 μA cm –2 . The enhanced photocatalytic activity is ascribed to the formation of the p–n heterojunction that provides an internal electric field to facilitate the photogenerated charge separation and transfer.