Evidencing enhanced charge-transfer with superior photocatalytic degradation and photoelectrochemical water splitting in Mg modified few-layered SnS₂

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Recently there has been immense interest in the exploration of richly available two-dimensional non-toxic layered material such as tin disulfide (SnS<SUB>2</SUB>) for potential employment in energy and environmental needs. In this regard, we report on the synthesis of few-layered Sn<SUB>1−x</SUB>Mg<SUB>x</SUB>S<SUB>2</SUB> nanosheets through a facile one-step hydrothermal route to address all such functions concerning photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical conversion. The crystalline order and structure of processed layered Sn<SUB>1−x</SUB>Mg<SUB>x</SUB>S<SUB>2</SUB> were initially found to exhibit a strong influence on their physicochemical properties. Their optical properties attest the Mg doping in SnS<SUB>2</SUB> to benefit us with enhanced visible-light absorption via red-shift in their absorption edge. In the photoluminescence spectrum the emissions observed along visible and red region signifies the association of Mg related trap states in Sn<SUB>1−x</SUB>Mg<SUB>x</SUB>S<SUB>2</SUB>. Next, the photocurrent and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic results revealed the Mg doping to promote the effective charge transfer process (which was beneficial to enhance their photocatalytic activity). Consequently, the layered Sn<SUB>0.98</SUB>Mg<SUB>0.02</SUB>S<SUB>2</SUB> made photoanodes displayed 1.7 fold higher photocurrent density under simulated solar radiation with respect to their undoped counterpart. Furthermore, the layered Sn<SUB>0.98</SUB>Mg<SUB>0.02</SUB>S<SUB>2</SUB> nanosheets exhibits enhanced visible light decomposition of organic dye while compared with pristine SnS<SUB>2</SUB> nanosheets. The value of rate constants obtained for the Sn<SUB>0.98</SUB>Mg<SUB>0.02</SUB>S<SUB>2</SUB> nanosheets was found to be 1.4 times higher than that of pristine SnS<SUB>2</SUB>. Finally, the results obtained through the present study projects the huge potential of layered Sn<SUB>0.98</SUB>Mg<SUB>0.02</SUB>S<SUB>2</SUB> nanosheets for future multifunctional applications.</P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>