Nb3O7F/MoS2 nanocrystal for expanded visible-light absorption and enhanced photocatalytic activity

Development of novel hybrid semiconductor photocatalysts has been of great concern for environmental, material and energy scientists in recent years. Herein, we develop a facile two-step sol-hydrothermal technique for preparation of Nb3O7F/MoS2 nanocomposites for the first time. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated by monitoring the degradation of methyl blue (MB) dye under visible-light irradiation. Compared to pure Nb3O7F, Nb3O7F/MoS2 nanocomposites exhibit higher photocatalytic efficiency and faster photocatalytic degradation rate. The remarkable enhancement of photocatalytic activity is attributed to the desirable multichannel-improved carrier dynamics, such as better visible-light absorption, more exposed active sites, promoted carrier separation and faster carrier transfer. This work sheds new light on the design and construction of novel high-performance photocatalysts.