Superior visible light hydrogen evolution of Janus bilayer junctions via atomic-level charge flow steering

Although photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) is ideal for solar-to-fuel conversion, it remains challenging to construct a highly efficient PHE system by steering the charge flow in a precise manner. Here we tackle this challenge by assembling 1T MoS2 monolayers selectively and chemically onto (Bi12O17) end-faces of Bi12O17Cl2 monolayers to craft two-dimensional (2D) Janus (Cl2)-(Bi12O17)-(MoS2) bilayer junctions, a new 2D motif different from van der Waals heterostructure. Electrons and holes from visible light-irradiated Bi12O17Cl2 are directionally separated by the internal electric field to (Bi12O17) and (Cl2) end-faces, respectively. The separated electrons can further migrate to MoS2 via Bi-S bonds…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 2013CB632402, 21177048, 51472100, 21425728, 21377044, 21573085
• CC
  Central China Normal University
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Awards: 2013CB632402, 21425728