Rational design of multinary copper chalcogenide nanocrystals for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is one of the most promising ways to solve environmental problems and produce a sustainable energy source.To date,different types of photocatalysts have been developed and widely used in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.Recently,multinary copper chalcogenides have attracted much attention and exhibited potential applications in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution due to their composition-tunable band gaps,diverse structures and environmental-benign characteristics.In this review,some progress on the synthesis and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of multinary copper chalcogenide nanocrystals(NCs)was summarized.In particular,considerable attention was paid to the rational design and dimensional or structural regulation of multinary copper chalcogenide NCs.Importantly,the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of multinary copper chalcogenide NCs were reviewed from the aspects of energy level structures,crystal facets,morphology as well as composition.Finally,the current challenges and future perspectives of copper chalcogenide were proposed.