SnS₂ Quantum Dots Decorated MoS₂ Nanosheets Enabling Efficient Photocatalytic H₂ Evolution in CO₂ Saturated Water

SnS₂/MoS₂ heterojunction nanocomposite was prepared by a one-step hydrothermal synthesis method. The nanocomposite exhibited much improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance in CO₂ saturated solution compared with pure MoS₂ and SnS₂ samples. The improved photocatalytic activity was attributed to the S-scheme heterojunction structure between SnS₂ quantum dots and MoS₂ nanosheets which facilitate electron-hole separation both in MoS₂ and SnS₂. In the S-scheme structure, the strong reduction ability of SnS₂ quantum dots was well maintained for the improved H₂ evolution. In situ DRIFT studies allowed us to suggest reaction pathways from CO₂ and H₂O to photocatalytic H₂, CO, and CH₄ generation.

Plasmon Enhanced Nickel(II) Catalyst for Photocatalytic Lignin Model Cleavage

Photocatalytic-induced cleaving of the ether C–O bond in model lignin compounds was studied with a closely-coupled compo-site material consisting of Ni(OH)₂ and gold nanoparticles (NPs) on a zirconia support (Au/ZrO₂–Ni(OH)₂). The three important ether bond types consisting of α-O-4, β-O-4, and 4-O-5 linkages can all be cleaved using this catalyst at reaction temperatures 40, 85 and 95 °C when under low-flux visible light irradiation. The Au NPs action as a light-harvesting antenna provided light-generated hot electrons that reduced Ni²⁺ to Ni⁰. The Ni⁰ was the active catalytic site where reductive cleavage of ether C–O bonds occurred while it was oxidized to Ni²⁺ to complete the catalysis cycle. The plasmonic antenna system with supported Ni(OH)₂ exhibited better ability for the catalytic reductive ether cleavages under visible light irradiation compared to photocata-lysts of Au NPs and Ni²⁺ ions immobilized on alumina fibers.

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