An article titled “MoS2/TiO2 Heterostructures as Nonmetal Plasmonic Photocatalysts for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution” from Dr. Yang’s research group has been published by Energy & Environmental Science.
In this work, a novel MoS2@TiO2 heterostructured film with periodically patterned morphology, exhibiting an enhanced light absorption within UV-vis-NIR wavelengths, was developed. Both experimental studies and theoretical modeling demonstrate that S-vacancy in the multilayered MoS2 nanoflakes is responsible for the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR, visible light absorption) and tunable band gaps (near infrared absorption). An outstanding H2 yield rate of 181 μmol h-1 cm-2 (equal to 580 mmol h-1 g-1 based on the loading mass of MoS2) was then achieved. Present study also shows that the developed catalyst can even split sea water under solar light irradiation, which will open a new paradigm for direct solar energy harvesting.
Dr. Yang Yang is an assistant professor in the NanoScience Technology Center, and Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He also leads an Advanced Materials & Renewable Energy Group, which developing advanced materials for clean energy generation and renewable energy storage devices.
Link 1 to Energy & Environmental Science: http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2014/EE/C7EE02464A#!divAbstract
Link 2 to Advanced Materials & Renewable Energy Group: http://www.yangyanglab.com/