Zinc ions modified InP quantum dots for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from hydrogen sulfide

Through direct addition of inorganic zinc ions into the solution of indium phosphide quantum dots (InP QDs) at ambient environment, we here present a facile but effective method to modify InP QDs for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). X-ray diffraction patterns and transmission electron microscopic images demonstrate that zinc ions have no significant influence on the crystal structure and morphology of InP QDs, while X-ray photoemission spectra and UV-Vis diffuse and reflectance spectra indicate that zinc ions mainly adsorbed on the surface of InP QDs. Photocatalytic results show the average hydrogen evolution rate has been enhanced to 2.9 times after modification and H₂S has indeed involves in the hydrogen evolution process. Steady-state and transient photoluminescence spectra prove that zinc ions could effectively eliminate the surface traps on InP QDs, which is crucial to suppress the recombination of charge carriers. In addition, the electrostatic interaction between zinc ions and the surface sulfide from InP QDs could mitigate the repulsion between QDs and sulfide/hydrosulfide, which may promote the surface oxidative reaction during photocatalysis. This work avoids the traditional harsh and complicated operations required for surface passivation of QDs, which offers a convenient way for optimization of QDs in photocatalysis.