Formation of Hierarchical Co9S8@ZnIn2S4 Heterostructured Cages as an Efficient Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution

• Published in: Journal of the American Chemical Society Vol. 140; no. 45; pp. 15145 - 15148
• Main Authors: Wang, Sibo, Guan, Bu Yuan, Wang, Xiao, Lou, Xiong Wen David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Chemical Society 14.11.2018
• Subjects: active sites; hydrogen production; light; photocatalysis; photocatalysts; redox reactions; semiconductors; surface area
• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b07721
• ISSN: 0002-7863; 1520-5126

Here we demonstrate the delicate design and construction of hierarchical Co9S8@ZnIn2S4 heterostructured cages as an efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution with visible light. Two photoactive sulfide semiconductors are rationally integrated into a hierarchical hollow structure with strongly coupled heterogeneous shells and two-dimensional ultrathin subunits. The unique architecture can efficiently facilitate the separation and transfer of light-induced charges, offer large surface area, and expose rich active sites for photocatalytic redox reactions. Owing to the distinctive structural and compositional benefits, the hierarchical Co9S8@ZnIn2S4 hollow heterostructures without using any cocatalysts show remarkable activity with a hydrogen-producing rate of 6250 μmol h–1 g–1 and high stability for photocatalytic water splitting.