Synthesis of Porous ZnS:Ag₂S Nanosheets by Ion Exchange for Photocatalytic H₂ Generation

Abstract

ZnS:Ag2S porous nanostructures are prepared by a simple ion-exchange route using ZnS nanosheets as sacrificial templates. In solutions of different Ag ion concentrations, ZnS nanosheets are partially converted to Ag2S, resulting in porous ZnS:Ag2S nanosheet composites with different pore sizes. With the Ag2S nanocrystals playing the role of hole scavengers, the porous nanosheets exhibit a high photocatalytic H2 generation rate of 104.9 μmol/h/g without using any noble metal cocatalyst.