The in situ construction of ZnIn2S4/CdIn2S4 2D/3D nano hetero-structure for an enhanced visible-light-driven hydrogen production

By an in situ modification of CdIn2S4 nano-octahedron on the surface of ZnIn2S4 nanosheets, ZnIn2S4/CdIn2S4 nano-composites with tight interface contact were obtained by a one-step solvothermal method. Because of the existence of ZnIn2S4/CdIn2S4 nano-heterostructure, the optimized sample (ZCIS-50) exhibited excellent photocatalytic H2 generation activity (12.67 mmol h−1 g−1) under visible light, which was approximately 15.1 times that of pure CdIn2S4 (0.84 mmol h−1 g−1) and 5.9 times that of ZnIn2S4 (2.13 mmol h−1 g−1). Based on experiments and simulation studies, the remarkable improvement of the photocatalytic performance of ZnIn2S4/CdIn2S4 can be ascribed to the presence of a large number of Cd–S–Zn atomic bridges between ZnIn2S4 nanosheets and CdIn2S4 nano-octahedrons, which not only promoted the interfacial charge transfer but also inhibited the recombination of light-induced carriers. In Na2S/Na2SO3 solution, the apparent quantum yield of the ZCIS-50 sample at 420 nm was 18.73% with good stability under long-term irradiation. This work emphasizes the key role of interface design and defect engineering of in situ nano heterostructures. It may provide a promising strategy for the progress of high-efficiency photocatalytic water-splitting catalysts.