Donor-π-acceptor dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution by using Cu2WS4 co-catalyst

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2019-01, Vol.44 (3), p.1441-1450
• Main Authors: Patir, Imren Hatay, Aslan, Emre, Yanalak, Gizem, Karaman, Merve, Sarilmaz, Adem, Can, Mumin, Can, Mustafa, Ozel, Faruk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Donor-π-acceptor dyes; Dye sensitization; Hydrogen evolution
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.11.161

Photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) have been investigated by using metal free donor-acceptor (D-A) and donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) dyes, which are abbreviated as MC-32 and MC-048, respectively, sensitized TiO2 as a photocatalyst with or without Cu2WS4 co-catalyst. This co-catalyst is synthesized by a low-cost and simple hot injection method, under visible light illumination. The photoactivities of these dyes have been clarified according to their structural, optical and electrochemical properties. Photocatalytic activities have been slightly increased when added the Cu2WS4 co-catalyst (dye/TiO2/Cu2WS4). This catalytic activity is also compared to that of noble metal Pt (dye/TiO2/Pt). It has been found that 121 μmolg−1h−1, 179 μmolg−1h−1, 348 μmolg−1h−1, 212 μmolg−1h−1, 422 μmolg−1h−1 and 1139 μmolg−1h−1 hydrogen have been evolved by using MC-32/TiO2, MC-32/TiO2/Cu2WS4, MC-32/TiO2/Pt, MC-048/TiO2, MC-048/TiO2/Cu2WS4 and MC-048/TiO2/Pt, respectively. [Display omitted] •MC-32 and MC-048 dyes are used for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution for first time.•Noble metal free Cu2WS4 co-catalyst is used on photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.•Cu2WS4 is synthesized by hot-injection method.•Photoactivities are investigated by chromatographic and electrochemical methods.•This work shows hydrogen evolution using dye-TiO2-metal sulfide catalysts.