Investigation of Electron Transport Through Alkanedithoil of Functionalized Zn3 P2 Nanowires for Hydrogen Production

Surface modified Zn3 P2 nanowires samples using alkanedithiol groups with different alkyl chain length were tested for hydrogen production. 1, 3-PDT exhibits the highest hydrogen production rate as 7288 ± 204 umol/h/g, which is 4 and 63 times higher than 1, 4-BDT and 1, 12-DDT respectively. The distance between photogenerated sites on Zn3 P2 nanowires and top molecule of alkanedithiol groups affects hydrogen reduction activity. Hydrogen production rate depends on electron transfer rate and tunneling rate. Mechanism explained gives a comprehensive perspective on how to optimize the structure of the Zn3 P2 nanowires and maximize the hydrogen reduction activity.