Enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution on ZnS loaded with graphene and MoS2 nanosheets as cocatalysts

Graphene and MoS2 nanosheets modified ZnS nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a simple one-pot hydrothermal route in the presence of graphene and MoS2 nanosheets. The resultant ZnS/graphene/MoS2 nanocomposites exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity and good recurrence stability in H-2 evolution from water splitting. When the loading content of graphene was 0.25 wt% and that of MoS2 was 2 atom%, the ZnS/graphene/MoS2 nanocomposite reached a high H-2-evolution rate of 2258 mu mol h(-1) g(-1) under a 300 W Xe lamp irradiation, which is about 2 times that of ZnS alone. The synergistic effect of cocatalysts contribute to the high performance of the hybrid photocatalyst, where graphene serves as an excellent electron acceptor and transporter, and MoS2 nanosheets provide a source of active reactive sites. It demonstrates that the exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets, achieved by the liquid exfoliation from natural molybdenite, can be used as an efficient cocatalyst to prepare high-performance photocatalysts in hydrogen evolution from water splitting.