Perovskite Microcrystals with Intercalated Monolayer MoS₂ Nanosheets as Advanced Photocatalyst for Solar-Powered Hydrogen Generation

Efficient solar-driven photocatalytic H₂ generation holds the key to realizing the hydrogen economy critical for economic, energy, and environmental sustainability. However, nonprecious materials-based high-performance photocatalysts are required. Perovskite materials possess superior optoelectronic properties that have been widely used for solar cells but recently emerged as a new class of photocatalysts. Here, a high-performance perovskite-based photocatalyst is developed. The perfectly matched energetics between the perovskite and monolayer MoS₂ are innovatively utilized to create a new form of type II heterojunction with a strong built-in electric field aligned between the spatially well-defined redox sites that empower the photocatalyst with superior capability to effectively promote charge separation and realize a record H₂ generation activity. The findings here reveal a new concept beyond the conventional paradigms to develop high-performance photocatalysts.