CuInS2 nanoparticles embedded in mesoporous TiO2 nanofibers for boosted photocatalytic hydrogen production

Abstract

Coupling narrow-band semiconductors with TiO₂ photocatalysts is a promising avenue for simultaneously broadening their light absorption and accelerating charge separation, thus improving the solar-driven hydrogen generation. In this work, we devise a unique TiO₂@CuInS₂ heterojunction photocatalyst through embedding CuInS₂ nanoparticles into mesoporous TiO₂ nanofibers. The obtained TiO₂@CuInS₂ nanojunction possessed intimate interfacial contact, which efficiently promoted the charge separation, thus resulting in enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production activity both under visible light and AM1.5 irradiation. After optimizing the component ratio of CuInS₂, the corresponding TiO₂@CuInS₂ sample delivered a significantly boosted photocatalytic H₂ production activity without any co-catalytic noble metals, up to 3 times as high as that of pure TiO₂ under AM1.5 irradiation. This study may provide new insights for designing and constructing highly efficient photocatalysts for solar hydrogen production.