China University of Science and Technology develops multi-sulfide single crystal nanobelt photocatalyst
Source: University of Science and Technology of China
Designing new semiconductor nanomaterials to capture solar energy and achieve efficient photochemical conversion is one of the ideal ways to solve the current global energy and environmental crisis. Copper-based polysulfides (Cu-Zn-In-S (CZIS) and Cu-Zn-Ga-S (CZGS)) have good visible light absorption properties, so they are used as an important photocatalyst material. However, its low electrical conductivity and high photo-generated carrier recombination rate hinder the application of copper-based quaternary sulfides in the field of photocatalysis. Currently, how to prepare an efficient copper-based quaternary sulfide photocatalyst is still facing challenges.
Recently, the team of Academician Yu Shuhong of the University of Science and Technology of China developed a colloidal chemical synthesis method and successfully prepared a quaternary sulfide single crystal nanobelt photocatalyst. This single crystal nanobelt exhibits excellent photocatalytic hydrogen production performance. The related results were published on October 15 in Nature Communications (Nature Communications 2020, 11, 5194) with the title "Single crystalline quaternary sulfide nanobelts for efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion".
This research proposes a new strategy for the design of multi-sulfide nano-photocatalysts, which successfully prepares nanobelts that expose specific crystal planes with the aid of surfactants, which provides a new way for the future design and development of new high-efficiency photocatalysts. In addition, this synthesis strategy is expected to be extended to the synthesis of other multi-element chalcogenide nanocrystals and to achieve fine control of their morphology and surface through improved synthesis methods. It is expected to exhibit unique application value in photodetection and photocatalysis.
This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China's Innovation Research Group, the National Natural Science Foundation of China's key projects, the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Frontier Science Key Research Projects, the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Nanoscience Excellence Innovation Center, and the Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center.