Enhanced solar light driven hydrogen generation and environment remediation through Nd incorporated ZnIn2S4

R. Janani, G.Sudha Priyanga, Santosh Behara, Ambrose Ashwin Melvin, A.R.M. Shaheer, Tiju Thomas, Bernaurdshaw Neppolian and Shubra Singh

Renewable Energy, 2020, vol. 162, issue C, 2031-2040

Abstract: Visible-light-driven hydrogen production is a promising pathway to realize efficient solar energy utilization. Here, Nd3+ incorporated ZnIn2S4 (Nd-ZIS) was synthesized via facile one step hydrothermal method. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) confirm the successful incorporation of Nd3+ in ZnIn2S4. Optical studies reveal the reduction of effective bandgap from 2.7 eV to 2.54 eV upon incorporation of Nd3+ with improved charge carrier life time of 3.12 ns. Electronic properties of ZIS and Nd-ZIS were investigated from first principle calculations. An attempt to improve photocatalytic activity of ZIS by modification with Nd3+ ions resulted in degradation of organic pollutant up to 98% under natural sunlight and decrease in life time of trap states up to a nominal value of 200 ms (as evident from photoelectrochemical measurements). The mechanism behind enhancement of photocatalytic activity of ZIS post Nd3+ integration has been proposed. Nd-ZIS was also utilized for water splitting activity exhibiting a considerable H2 generation ∼3415 μmol g−1. To the best of our knowledge, activity of Nd3+ incorporated ZIS has been explored for the first time in present work. It is believed that an in-depth understanding of photoactivity of ZIS would be significantly important for designing materials with desired photocatalytic performance in future.

Keywords: Hierarchical microflowers; Nd3+ incorporated ZnIn2S4; Photocatalytic degradation; Photoelectrochemical; Hydrogen generation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:162:y:2020:i:c:p:2031-2040

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.09.081

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