RGO-MoS2 Supported NiCo2O4 Catalyst toward Solar Water Splitting and Dye Degradation

Formation of the NiCo 2 O 4 (NCO) nanoparticle with the simultaneous reduction of GO and growth of MoS 2 by a two step hydrothermal process results in a 2D RGO-MoS 2 (R-MoS 2 ) cocatalyst layer with intimate interfacial contact with NCO. The phase purity, chemical coupling and morphology of the synthesized materials are established through X-ray diffraction, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies. The ternary composite, RGO-MoS 2 -NiCo 2 O 4 (RM-NCO), shows excellent electrocatalytic performance toward solar driven water splitting with 3.08% solar to hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency, photocurrent density of 5.36 mA cm –2, injection efficiency of 97% at 1 V (vs Ag/AgCl) and long-term stability. The photo degradation (95%) of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation is obtained in 90 min by the ternary composite (RM-NCO). The improved performance of the ternary composite, RM-NCO, over bare NCO and MoS 2, toward photocatalytic activity is achieved through the dual charge transfer pathway between interfacial layer of NCO and MoS 2 to RGO, which leads to generation of more photoinduced charge carriers and suppression of electron–hole recombination process.