It is facing a tremendous challenge to develop the desirable hybrids for photocatalytic H2 generation by integrating the advantages of a single semiconductor. Herein, an all-sulfide ZnIn2 S4 /CdS/PdS heterojunction is constructed for the first time, where CdS and PdS nanoparticles anchor in the spaces of ZnIn2 S4 micro-flowers due to the confinement effects. The morphology engineering can guarantee rapid charge transfer owing to the short carrier migration distances and the luxuriant reactive sites provided by ZnIn2 S4 . The S-scheme mechanism between ZnIn2 S4 and CdS assisted by PdS cocatalyst is testified by in situ irradiated X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), where the electrons and holes move in reverse driven by work function difference and built-in electric field at the interfaces. The optimal ZnIn2 S4 /CdS/PdS performs a glaring photocatalytic activity of 191.9 µmol h-1 (10 mg of catalyst), and the largest AQE (apparent quantum efficiency) can reach a high value of 26.26%. This work may afford progressive tactics to design multifunctional photocatalysts.
Keywords: S-scheme mechanisms; co-catalysts; hydrogen generation; photocatalysis; water splitting.
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