Microwave-Induced Metal Dissolution Synthesis of Core-Shell Copper Nanowires/ZnS for Visible Light Photocatalytic H-2 Evolution

Abstract

© 2019 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim A microwave-induced metal dissolution strategy is developed for in situ synthesis of copper nanowires/ZnS (CuNWs/ZnS) hybrids with core–shell structure. The CuNWs are used as microwave antennas to create local “super-hot” surfaces to further initiate ZnS crystallization with full coverage on CuNWs. With the help of S2−, the hot metal surface further results in the CuNWs dissolution with promoted Cu+ diffusion and incorporation into the ZnS lattice. With the narrowed bandgap of ZnS and the strongly coupled interface between CuNWs and ZnS created by microwaves, the as-prepared hybrid composites exhibit an enhanced activity and stability in visible light for the photocatalytic H2 evolution. The corresponding H2 evolution rate reaches up to 10722 µmol h−1 g−1 with apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 69% under 420 nm LED irradiation, showing a remarkably high AQE among the noble-metal free visible light-driven photocatalysts and demonstrating a promising potential in practical applications to deal with the energy crisis.