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Amorphization of MoS2 Cocatalysts on CdS Nanorods via Facet-Selective Deposition for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Zhang, Fengying LU ; Hong, Yujie ; Yao, Zehan LU ; Li, Yi ; Zheng, Shenshen ; Yu, Shan ; Yartsev, Arkady LU orcid ; Zheng, Kaibo LU ; Pullerits, Tonu LU and Zhou, Ying (2025) In ACS Applied Nano Materials 8(22). p.11338-11345
Abstract

The construction of heterojunctions between catalysts and cocatalysts is a widely recognized strategy to enhance catalytic activity. The precise placement of cocatalysts is widely understood to optimize charge transfer pathways and catalytic active sites. In this study, we demonstrate that site-selective decoration on an anisotropic catalyst, achieved by modulating solvent polarity and precursor reactivity during hydrothermal synthesis, can precisely control the structural properties of the cocatalysts. Using a benchmark CdS-MoS2 heterojunction system, where MoS2 cocatalysts are selectively grown on the tips and sides of CdS nanorods, we reveal that tip-decorated MoS2 adopts a quasi-amorphous structure... (More)

The construction of heterojunctions between catalysts and cocatalysts is a widely recognized strategy to enhance catalytic activity. The precise placement of cocatalysts is widely understood to optimize charge transfer pathways and catalytic active sites. In this study, we demonstrate that site-selective decoration on an anisotropic catalyst, achieved by modulating solvent polarity and precursor reactivity during hydrothermal synthesis, can precisely control the structural properties of the cocatalysts. Using a benchmark CdS-MoS2 heterojunction system, where MoS2 cocatalysts are selectively grown on the tips and sides of CdS nanorods, we reveal that tip-decorated MoS2 adopts a quasi-amorphous structure with abundant defect states. This structural distortion stems from the greater lattice mismatch between MoS2 and the (002) facets of the CdS nanorod tips compared to their side (101) facets. These defects can serve as additional active sites, enhancing surface activation. Ultrafast photophysical studies further confirm that charge transfer between quasi-amorphous MoS2 and CdS (CdS/MoS2) is as efficient as that in its crystalline side-decorated counterparts (CdS@MoS2). Consequently, CdS/MoS2 achieves a photocatalytic efficiency of 6.7 mmol g-1 h-1, a significant 2-fold improvement over 2.9 mmol g-1 h-1 observed for CdS@MoS2. This work introduces an approach to optimizing photocatalytic performance through controlled cocatalyst growth in hybrid catalyst systems.

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author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
carrier dynamics, cocatalysts, growth modulation, hydrogen evolution, quasi-amorphous structure
in
ACS Applied Nano Materials
volume
8
issue
22
pages
8 pages
publisher
The American Chemical Society (ACS)
external identifiers
  • scopus:105005743388
ISSN
2574-0970
DOI
10.1021/acsanm.5c01005
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
affd69f4-2f10-4ba1-97b7-469109d25f8c
date added to LUP
2025-09-19 13:52:34
date last changed
2025-10-14 10:47:05
@article{affd69f4-2f10-4ba1-97b7-469109d25f8c,
  abstract     = {{<p>The construction of heterojunctions between catalysts and cocatalysts is a widely recognized strategy to enhance catalytic activity. The precise placement of cocatalysts is widely understood to optimize charge transfer pathways and catalytic active sites. In this study, we demonstrate that site-selective decoration on an anisotropic catalyst, achieved by modulating solvent polarity and precursor reactivity during hydrothermal synthesis, can precisely control the structural properties of the cocatalysts. Using a benchmark CdS-MoS<sub>2</sub> heterojunction system, where MoS<sub>2</sub> cocatalysts are selectively grown on the tips and sides of CdS nanorods, we reveal that tip-decorated MoS<sub>2</sub> adopts a quasi-amorphous structure with abundant defect states. This structural distortion stems from the greater lattice mismatch between MoS<sub>2</sub> and the (002) facets of the CdS nanorod tips compared to their side (101) facets. These defects can serve as additional active sites, enhancing surface activation. Ultrafast photophysical studies further confirm that charge transfer between quasi-amorphous MoS<sub>2</sub> and CdS (CdS/MoS<sub>2</sub>) is as efficient as that in its crystalline side-decorated counterparts (CdS@MoS<sub>2</sub>). Consequently, CdS/MoS<sub>2</sub> achieves a photocatalytic efficiency of 6.7 mmol g<sup>-1</sup> h<sup>-1</sup>, a significant 2-fold improvement over 2.9 mmol g<sup>-1</sup> h<sup>-1</sup> observed for CdS@MoS<sub>2</sub>. This work introduces an approach to optimizing photocatalytic performance through controlled cocatalyst growth in hybrid catalyst systems.</p>}},
  author       = {{Zhang, Fengying and Hong, Yujie and Yao, Zehan and Li, Yi and Zheng, Shenshen and Yu, Shan and Yartsev, Arkady and Zheng, Kaibo and Pullerits, Tonu and Zhou, Ying}},
  issn         = {{2574-0970}},
  keywords     = {{carrier dynamics; cocatalysts; growth modulation; hydrogen evolution; quasi-amorphous structure}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{22}},
  pages        = {{11338--11345}},
  publisher    = {{The American Chemical Society (ACS)}},
  series       = {{ACS Applied Nano Materials}},
  title        = {{Amorphization of MoS<sub>2</sub> Cocatalysts on CdS Nanorods via Facet-Selective Deposition for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.5c01005}},
  doi          = {{10.1021/acsanm.5c01005}},
  volume       = {{8}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}