Bismuth sulphide-modified molybdenum disulphide as an efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen production under simulated solar light

To overcome rapid electron-hole recombination and the need for employing noble metals as co-catalysts for photocatalytic water splitting, the present work reports on the fabrication of bismuth sulphide (Bi₂S₃)-modified molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) as an efficient hybrid photocatalyst. Under simulated solar light irradiation, the Bi₂S₃/MoS₂ photocatalyst with an optimum molar ratio of Mo to Bi of 50% (mol/mol) achieved a H₂ production rate of 61.4 μmol/h. The photocatalytic enhancement was attributed to an effective charge transfer mechanism between Bi₂S₃ and MoS₂, as evidenced by photoelectrochemical characterization. A plausible reaction mechanism over the as-prepared Bi₂S₃/MoS₂ photocatalyst was also proposed based on the experimental results obtained.