Highly Efficient MoS₂/Ag₂S/Ag Photoelectrocatalyst Obtained from a Recycled DVD Surface

Abstract

An efficient photoelectrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was prepared by electrochemical deposition of MoS2 on the Ag nanostructured surface of a commercial writable digital versatile disc (DVD). The deposition was performed by reduction of MoS42– ions and the concomitant production of HS– ions led to the formation of Ag2S nanoparticles. The result was a composite material MoS2/Ag2S/Ag characterized by the formation of uniformly distributed n–p nanojunctions that make the performances of this easy to prepare and cheap electrocatalyst comparable or better than those of similar MoS2 based systems. This study suggests a viable opportunity to turn an abundant waste into an added-value material.