Abstract
Combining photochemical and electrochemical energy conversion into a single catalytic system is an efficient method for energy generation. In this paper, to increase the electrocatalytic activity of 2H-WS2 nanosheets, CdSe quantum dots (QDs) are introduced as sensitizers to design a novel photo-responsive electrode. The electrocatalytic HER activity of the nanocomposites is observably enhanced under 300 W Xe lamp irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm, the overpotential decreases from -1030 mV vs. RHE to -400 mV vs. RHE at a cathodic current density of 10 mA cm-2 in neutral electrolyte without adding any sacrificial agent, and the Tafel slope decreases from 132 mV dec-1 to 56 mV dec-1). Moreover, the photo-enhanced electrocatalyst demonstrates high stability, which is reflected by a steady-state performance for more than 24 h. This strategy may have potential use in designing and fabricating novel photo-assisted electrocatalysts.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 18021-18027 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | New Journal of Chemistry |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 22 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2018 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Catalysis
- General Chemistry
- Materials Chemistry