Differing nanostructures have been shown to alter the efficiency of both chemical catalysis and light absorption. Applying this principle to an inverse opal 3D ordered macroporous (3DOM) semiconductor containing MoS2 nanoparticles has the potential to generate a photocatalytic nanomaterial for the hydrogen-evolving reaction (HER) and other reactions that occur at a reduction potential close to 0 eV. Cuprous oxide is a strong light sensitizer and has already been shown to improve the catalytic efficiency of a variety of reactions when generated as a nanomaterial. In this work, a method for generating a novel cuprous oxide 3DOM with MoS2 nanoparticles adsorbed to pores is proposed as well as methods for optimization and testing. Differing polymeric templates would be generated and imbibed with differing metal ion solutions which convert to a metal oxide when calcined. Changes in the template and semiconductor have the potential to improve catalytic efficiency. This work will report on the effectiveness of these optimization techniques on catalysis and the morphology impacts of template manipulations.

Use of 3D ordered macroporous cuprous oxide intercalated with MoS2 for efficient hydrogen-evolving reaction

255th National Meeting (2018)

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