Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of SnO₂@ZnIn₂S₄ Composites for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

This research successfully synthesized SnO₂@ZnIn₂S₄ composites for photocatalytic tap water splitting using a rapid two-step microwave-assisted synthesis method. This study investigated the impact of incorporating a fixed quantity of SnO₂ nanoparticles and combining them with various materials to form composites, aiming to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen production. Additionally, different weights of SnO₂ nanoparticles were added to the ZnIn₂S₄ reaction precursor to prepare SnO₂@ZnIn₂S₄ composites for photocatalytic hydrogen production. Notably, the photocatalytic efficiency of SnO₂@ZnIn₂S₄ composites is substantially higher than that of pure SnO₂ nanoparticles and ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheets: 17.9-fold and 6.3-fold, respectively. The enhancement is credited to the successful use of visible light and the facilitation of electron transfer across the heterojunction, leading to the efficient dissociation of electron-hole pairs. Additionally, evaluations of recyclability demonstrated the remarkable longevity of SnO₂@ZnIn₂S₄ composites, maintaining high levels of photocatalytic hydrogen production over eight cycles without significant efficiency loss, indicating their impressive durability. This investigation presents a promising strategy for crafting and producing environmentally sustainable SnO₂@ZnIn₂S₄ composites with prospective implementations in photocatalytic hydrogen generation.