Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production by Internal Electric Fields Generated by the Rational Design and Synthesis of ZIF-Derived Co3O4/ZnIn2S4 with Z-Scheme Heterojunctions

Zheng, Yueying; Wang, Fan; Lan, Dawei; Chen, Quhan; Wang, Chenxi; Zhang, Honglei; Liu, Min; Liu, Hao; Wu, Tao

Abstract

The construction of Z-scheme heterojunctions in photocatalysts presents significant potential for enhancing photocatalytic water splitting by improving visible light absorption, redox capability, and the separation and transfer of charge carriers. In this study, a novel ZIF-derived Co3O4/ZnIn2S4 photocatalyst with Z-scheme heterojunction was designed and synthesized to achieve high photoactivity under visible light, maximizing solar energy utilization. Experimental evidence confirmed the successful formation of Z-scheme heterojunction in the composite materials. It is also found that the modified ZIF-67-derived Co3O4 exhibited a narrow band gap, leading to improved visible light absorption and the unique Z-scheme heterojunction generated an internal electric field within the composite that enhanced the spatial migration of the photogenerated charge carriers, promoting their separation and transfer while boosting redox capabilities. The ZIF-derived Co3O4/ZnIn2S4 photocatalyst showed an outstanding photocatalytic hydrogen generation of 23.99 mmol g-1 h-1, approximately 17 times higher than that of original ZnIn2S4 with an apparent quantum efficiency of 10.49% at 420 nm for H2 production. The presence of heterojunction was further confirmed by density functional theory calculations. This study demonstrates a promising strategy for the development of visible light-responsive photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic activity by introducing Z-scheme heterojunctions to create an internal electric field within the catalyst.

Citation

Zheng, Y., Wang, F., Lan, D., Chen, Q., Wang, C., Zhang, H., Liu, M., Liu, H., & Wu, T. (2024). Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production by Internal Electric Fields Generated by the Rational Design and Synthesis of ZIF-Derived Co3O4/ZnIn2S4 with Z-Scheme Heterojunctions. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 63(46), 20113-20124. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.4c02849

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 29, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Nov 6, 2024
• Publication Date: Nov 20, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jan 9, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 7, 2025
• Journal: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
• Print ISSN: 0888-5885
• Electronic ISSN: 1520-5045
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 63
• Issue: 46
• Pages: 20113-20124
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.4c02849
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/41823728
• Publisher URL: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.iecr.4c02849
• Additional Information: This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.iecr.4c02849