Nanoscale MoS₂-Zn₁₀In₂S₁₃ heterointerfaces regulate charge redistribution for selective furfuryl alcohol...

Heterointerface engineering is an effective route to regulate nanoscale charge redistribution and reaction-channel selectivity in semiconductor photocatalysis. However, synchronizing proton reduction with selective biomass-derived alcohol oxidation remains challenging because photogenerated electrons and holes are often consumed through poorly matched or competitive pathways. Herein, preliminary composition screening identified Zn₁₀In₂S₁₃ as a redox-window-matched host within the Zn_mIn₂S_m+3 family, and subsequent in situ photodeposition of MoS₂ enabled visible-light-driven furfuryl alcohol (FOL) photoreforming. Photodeposited MoS₂ creates electronically coupled sulfide-sulfide interfacial domains that favor electron extraction toward the H₂-evolution channel, while Zn₁₀In₂S₁₃ retains oxidative holes for FOL activation. Structural characterization confirms nanoscale MoS₂ anchoring on Zn₁₀In₂S₁₃, while XPS binding-energy shifts indicate altered surface electronic environments at the sulfide-sulfide interface. PL/TRPL, EIS, photocurrent, and LSV analyses further support facilitated interfacial charge transfer. In situ EPR detection of the DMPO-CH(OH)C₄H₃O adduct supports a radical-mediated FOL-to-furfural (FF) oxidation pathway. The optimized 5 wt% MoS₂-Zn₁₀In₂S₁₃ photocatalyst delivers an H₂ evolution rate of 18.7 mmol·g^-1·h^-1 and an FF production rate of 10.5 mmol·g^-1·h^-1 with a carbon balance exceeding 95% under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm) without conventional non-valuable sacrificial hole scavengers. This work highlights how nanoscale heterointerface design can organize charge-transfer pathways and reaction channels for selective solar fuel and chemical co-production.