Ultrasmall MoOx clusters as a novel cocatalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

• Main Authors: Zhang, Huabin, Zhang, Peng, Qiu, Mei, Dong, Juncai, Zhang, Yongfan, Lou, David Xiong Wen
• Other Authors: School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Engineering::Chemical engineering; CdS; Clusters
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/150412
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

To enhance the performance of semiconductor photocatalysts, cocatalysts are used to accelerate surface reactions. Herein, ultrasmall molybdenum–oxygen (MoOx) clusters are developed as a novel non-noble cocatalyst, which significantly promotes the photocatalytic hydrogen generation rate of CdS nanowires (NWs). As indicated by extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis, direct bonds are formed between CdS NWs and MoOx clusters, which guarantee the migration of photo-generated charge carriers. Moreover, the MoOx clusters induce deep electron trap states owing to the unique atomic arrangement and configuration with the generation of long-lived electrons to enhance the activity. These findings may guide the design of efficient cocatalytic materials for solar water splitting and open a new avenue toward practical applications of ultrasmall clusters.