Harnessing trichalcogenide–molybdenum(vi) sulfide and molybdenum(vi) oxide within poly(1-amino-2-mercaptobenzene) frameworks as a photocathode for sustainable green hydrogen production from seawater without sacrificial agents

Abstract

This research focuses on converting Red Sea seawater into environmentally friendly hydrogen (H2) gas by developing an innovative photocathode termed MoS3–MoO3/PA2MB. Fabricated through a single-step process, this photocathode demonstrates impressive performance, achieving an H2 production rate of 6.0 µmol/10 cm²·h with a current density (J ph) of −0.7 mA·cm⁻². The effectiveness of this photocathode is highlighted by its favorable morphological properties, characterized by semi-spherical shapes measuring 130 nm in width and 170 nm in length. Moreover, the MoS3–MoO3/PA2MB photocathode exhibits excellent light absorbance across a wide spectrum, benefiting from a small bandgap of 1.6 eV, which significantly enhances its efficiency in converting light energy into hydrogen gas. The photocathode’s performance is rigorously tested under various optical conditions, with photon energies ranging from 3.6 to 1.7 eV. As the photon energies decrease from 3.6 to 1.7 eV, the J ph values decrease from −0.53 to −0.43 mA·cm⁻², demonstrating the photocathode’s adaptability to different optical environments. Overall, the successful synthesis of the MoS3–MoO3/PA2MB photocathode marks a significant advancement in H2 gas production directly from seawater. This technology shows potential for commercial applications, particularly in remote and economically disadvantaged areas where access to conventional energy sources is limited, offering a promising solution for sustainable energy generation.

Keywords

• poly-1-amino-2-mercaptobenzene
• trichalcogenide
• mos3
• moo3
• hydrogen generation
• renewable energy