Direct growth of nanostructural MoS2 over the h-BN nanoplatelets: An efficient heterostructure for visible light photoreduction of CO2 to methanol

• Published in: Journal of CO2 utilization 2020-12, Vol.42, p.101345, Article 101345
• Main Authors: Kumari, Sangita, Gusain, Rashi, Kumar, Anurag, Manwar, Nilesh, Jain, Suman L, Khatri, Om P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2D materials; Charge carriers; CO2 photoreduction; h-BN-MoS2 hybrid; Methanol
• ISSN: 2212-9820; 2212-9839
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2020.101345

•Direct growth of MoS2 sheets over the h-BN nanoplatelets via hydrothermal route.•h-BN-MoS2 hybrid is demonstrated as a photocatalyst for CO2 reduction into methanol.•Effective charge separation by h-BN-MoS2 enhanced the photocatalytic reduction of CO2.•Maximum yield of methanol is estimated to 5994 μmol.g−1cat using h-BN-MoS2 hybrid. Photocatalytic conversion of CO2 has attracted immense attention as a clean and sustainable approach to produce chemicals and fuels. Several semiconductors and heterojunction-based photocatalysts have been explored for efficient conversion of CO2 into high-value chemicals and opened new opportunities for tailoring optoelectronic properties of 2D materials. In the present study, nanostructural molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is grown over the hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoplatelets by a hydrothermal approach and prepared the h-BN-MoS2 heterostructure. The chemical, structural, morphological, and optical features of h-BN-MoS2 hybrid are evaluated using XPS, Raman, XRD, HRTEM, UV–vis, and PL analyses. The potential of h-BN-MoS2 hybrid as a photocatalyst is explored for photoreduction of CO2 under the visible light irradiation. Pristine h-BN and MoS2 nanomaterials are not pertinent for the photoreduction of CO2 as former is inactive and later afforded a low yield in comparison to h-BN-MoS2 hybrid under identical conditions. The effective charge separation in h-BN-MoS2 hybrid extended the life of photo-excited electrons and enhanced the photoreduction of CO2. The maximum yield of methanol using h-BN-MoS2 hybrid is found to be 5994 μmol.g−1cat, which is 3.8 folds higher than the pristine MoS2 under the visible light irradiation.