In Situ Etching-Hydrolysis Strategy To Construct an In-Plane ZnIn2S4/In(OH)3 Heterojunction with Enhanced CO2
Jun Du1, Keyan Li1, Jiaming Wu1
1State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, PSU-DUT Joint Center for Energy Research, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning 116024, People's Republic of China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|May 17, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed a novel in-plane heterojunction using ZnIn2S4 and In(OH)3 for enhanced photocatalytic CO2 reduction. This method significantly boosts CO production rates and selectivity, offering a facile approach for advanced materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- In-plane heterojunctions offer superior photocatalytic performance due to efficient charge separation and exposed active sites.
- Constructing these atomically thin, tightly interfaced heterojunctions presents a significant synthetic challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile method for creating in-plane heterojunctions for enhanced photocatalytic CO2 reduction.
- To investigate the structure-property relationships of the novel ZnIn2S4/In(OH)3 heterojunction.
Main Methods:
- An in situ oxidation etching-hydrolysis approach using H2O2 to partially convert ZnIn2S4 into In(OH)3.
- Characterization of the synthesized ZnIn2S4/In(OH)3 heterojunction (ZISOH) material.
- Evaluation of photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance, measuring CO production rate and selectivity.
Main Results:
- The in situ method successfully formed an intimate interface within the ZnIn2S4/In(OH)3 heterojunction, preserving the nanosheet morphology.
- The ZISOH material demonstrated significantly enhanced photocatalytic CO2 reduction, with CO production rates and selectivity reaching 1760 μmol g−1 h−1 and 78%, respectively.
- These results surpass those of pristine ZnIn2S4 (842 μmol g−1 h−1 and 65%).
Conclusions:
- The developed oxidation etching-hydrolysis method provides a feasible route for constructing in-plane heterojunctions.
- The ZISOH material exhibits superior photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction, attributed to efficient charge separation and improved CO2 adsorption.
- This work highlights a promising strategy for enhancing the photocatalytic applications of 2D metal sulfides.
