Carbon-doped SnS2 nanostructure as a high-efficiency solar fuel catalyst under visible light

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02547-4
• Publication Date: 2018-01-08T11:13:07Z
• Authors: Indrajit Shown; Satyanarayana Sam...; Yu-Chung Chang; Raghunath Putikam; Po-Han Chang; Amr Sabbah; Fang-Yu Fu; Wei-Fu Chen; Chih-I Wu; Tsyr-Yan Yu; Po-Wen Chung; M. C. Lin; Li-Chyong Chen; Kuei-Hsien Chen
• Keywords: Visible spectrum; Carbon fibers; Quantum Efficiency; Solar fuel

Photocatalytic formation of hydrocarbons using solar energy via artificial photosynthesis is a highly desirable renewable-energy source for replacing conventional fossil fuels. Using an L-cysteine-based hydrothermal process, here we synthesize carbon-doped SnS2 (SnS2-C) metal dichalcogenide nanostructure, which exhibits active and selective photocatalytic conversion CO2 to under visible-light. The interstitial carbon doping induced microstrain in the lattice, resulting different photophysical properties as compared with undoped SnS2. This SnS2-C photocatalyst significantly enhances reduction activity visible light, attaining photochemical quantum efficiency above 0.7%. represents important contribution towards high based on gas phase where situ nanostructure improves stability light harvesting charge separation efficiency, activity.