CuInS_2 as Photocatalyst for H_2 Evolution: Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Assisted Solvothermal Route to Tuned Microstructures Toward High Performance Photocatalysts

摘要

CuInS_2 particles were synthesized by a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-assisted solvothermal route in ethylene glycol with metal chlorides as precursor. The microstructure of CuInS_2 can be tuned from flower- to sphere-like aggregations by increasing the dosage of PVR with the increased diffraction peak intensity ratio of (220) versus (112). A possible formation mechanism of these CuInS_2 particles was proposed, indicating that PVP plays a crucial role in the growth of structured CuInS_2. The photocatalytic H_2 evolution performance was found to be enhanced with the increasing intensity ratio of (220) versus (112), rather than the specific surface area. Our work shows that (200) facet of CuInS_2 possess more active sites for H_2 evolution than (004) facet.