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Enhancing Built-In Electric Fields through Sulfur-Vacancy Engineering in ZnIn2S4/CdS S-Scheme Heterojunctions for
Huijie Wang1, Jiaxin Li1, Xiangyu Meng2
1Yaoshan Laboratory, Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan467000, P. R. China.
Inorganic Chemistry
|July 17, 2026
Summary
Introducing sulfur vacancies into ZnIn2S4/CdS S-scheme heterojunctions significantly boosts carrier transport and boosts tetracycline degradation efficiency. This approach enhances built-in electric fields for improved photocatalytic activity in wastewater treatment.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photocatalysis
- Environmental Chemistry
Background:
- S-scheme heterojunctions offer tunable redox capabilities and light absorption but face challenges in carrier transport efficiency.
- Optimizing the interface is crucial for enhancing photocatalytic performance in composite materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance carrier transport efficiency in S-scheme heterojunctions by introducing sulfur vacancies (Sv) into ZnIn2S4/CdS (Sv-ZIS/CdS).
- To investigate the impact of sulfur vacancies on the built-in electric field (BEF) and electron transfer pathways.
- To evaluate the photocatalytic performance of Sv-ZIS/CdS heterojunctions for tetracycline (TC) degradation.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of sulfur vacancy-modified ZnIn2S4/CdS heterojunctions.
- Characterization using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (fs-TAS).
- Evaluation of photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light irradiation.
Main Results:
- Sulfur vacancies enhanced the BEF intensity at the Sv-ZIS/CdS interface by 1.9-3.7 times compared to pristine materials.
- Experimental and computational methods confirmed a S-scheme electron transfer pathway.
- The Sv-ZIS/CdS heterojunction achieved a 99.1% degradation rate for tetracycline under visible light, outperforming individual components and composites without vacancies.
- Superoxide radicals (•O2-) were identified as the primary active species in TC degradation.
Conclusions:
- Introducing sulfur vacancies is an effective strategy to improve carrier transport and photocatalytic efficiency in S-scheme heterojunctions.
- The enhanced BEF and S-scheme charge transfer mechanism contribute to superior performance in degrading tetracycline.
- This work provides a valuable approach for developing advanced photocatalysts for antibiotic wastewater treatment.
