One-pot sulfurized synthesis of ZnIn2S4/S,N-codoped carbon composites for solar light driven water splitting

Abstract To enhance the intrinsic active sites and to suppress the recombination of charge carriers, ZnIn2S4 modified with S,N-codoped carbon (ZIS/SN-C) composites were prepared for solar light driven water splitting via the one-pot sulfurized route. Compared with g-C3N4 and S-doped g-C3N4, the combined effect between S,N-codoped carbon and ZnIn2S4 can greatly enhance the photocatalytic activity of ZIS/SN-C. The optimal 4-ZIS/SN-C with the Zn(II) content of 13.78% and the calculated In/Zn molar ratio of 2.03:1 presents the H2 evolution rate of 2937.1 μmol g−1 h−1, which is 2.98 and 23.42 times higher than that of one-pot sulfurized ZnIn2S4 and S-doped g-C3N4, respectively. However, long-term photo-corrosion induces to the declined durability of 4-ZIS/SN/C for water splitting after three cycles. S vacancies of ZnIn2S4 serve as the efficient active sites of H2 evolution reaction, and S, N-codoped carbon acts as the photo-induced electrons trapper. The one-pot sulfurized approach is thus a potential strategy to fabricate metal sulfide-based photocatalysts.