Simultaneously hydrogen production organic degradation of MoS2/Ag/TiO2 in two chamber photo reactor

A novel and environmentally friendly photocatalyst film, MoS2/Ag/TiO2, was synthesised on a glass-fibre membrane. The composite catalyst film had a multi-layer structure and responded well to solar light. The catalyst performed well for both photocatalytic hydrogen production and organic degradation in a two-chamber photo-reactor under either solar or UV light irradiation. Hydrogen was produced in the cathode side chamber while the model organic was decomposed in the anode side chamber. The specific hydrogen production rate went through a maximum of 85 mmol·h-1·m-2 with an energy conversion efficiency of 0.85% and a quantum yield of 12% under solar light, while a maximum of 68 mmol·h-1·m-2. It is apparent that Ag functioned as a nanojunction between the TiO2 and MoS2 layers, which allowed the transfer of photo-excited electrons via TiO2→Ag→MoS2 for organic degradation and H+ reduction (hydrogen evolution) in two different chambers.