Boosting the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of snowflake Cu₂S/ZnWO₄ through morphology control and construction of...

Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production is a promising strategy to address the global energy crisis and environmental challenges. In the present study, we introduce a novel photocatalytic system anchored on a p-n heterojunction which is constructed from snowflake-like Cu₂S and ZnWO₄. The unique morphology of Cu₂S not only enhances light absorption but also provides a large specific surface area for catalytic reactions. Meanwhile, the p-n heterojunction with ZnWO₄ effectively separates photogenerated charge carriers and facilitates their transfer. Our experimental findings demonstrate that the Cu₂S/ZnWO₄ heterojunction displays remarkably improved activity for photocatalytic hydrogen production, achieving a hydrogen evolution rate of 0.483 mmol·g^-1·h^-1which is 2.824 times higher than that of pure ZnWO₄ (0.171 mmol·g^-1·h^-1). This research not only yields fresh perspectives high-performance photocatalytic materials but also provides important experimental evidence for the realization of sustainable hydrogen energy production. Future research will focus on further optimizing the structure and composition of the heterojunction to enhance photocatalytic performance and explore its potential for practical applications.