On the electronic properties and catalytic activity of MoS2–C3N4 materials prepared by one-pot reaction

MoS2–C3N4 composite materials with Mo content from 0.3 to 9 wt% have been prepared by means of one-pot synthesis ammonium thiomolybdate (NH4)2MoS4 and urea-thiourea mixture. The solids were characterized several physical techniques tested in the thiophene hydrodesulfurization model reaction (HDS) photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHER). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) show that even at smallest contents contain individual MoS2 C3N4 phases. As attested powder diffraction (XRD), addition impacts properties obtained C3N4, probably growth stage, leading more disordered carbon nitride phase. However, demonstrate electronic close a superposition two separate phases, as follows results UV–visible diffuse reflectance (UV–vis DRS) combined Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopies (UPS, XPS). band alignment diagram constructed UV–vis DRS, XPS UPS data is staggered type, valence edge being located above C3N4. Composite high HDS activity, increasing step content, which proves fine dispersion phase good availability edges reactants. By contrast, PHER activity first increases then decreases loading, reflecting on competition between ability promote associative desorption its role charge carriers recombination sink.