Fabrication of Co3O4@ZnIn2S4 for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution: Insights into the synergistic mechanism of photothermal effect and heterojunction

Shengyu Zhang; Gongxin Zhang; Shuangzhi Wu; Zhongjie Guan; Qiuye Li; Jianjun Yang

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2023.07.147

Fabrication of Co₃O₄@ZnIn₂S₄ for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution: Insights into the synergistic mechanism of photothermal effect and heterojunction

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2023 Nov 15;650(Pt B):1974-1982. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.07.147. Epub 2023 Jul 25.

Authors

Shengyu Zhang¹, Gongxin Zhang², Shuangzhi Wu¹, Zhongjie Guan³, Qiuye Li⁴, Jianjun Yang¹

Affiliations

¹ National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Applied Technology of Hybrid Nanomaterials, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China.
² School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China.
³ National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Applied Technology of Hybrid Nanomaterials, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China. Electronic address: guanzj@henu.edu.cn.
⁴ National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Applied Technology of Hybrid Nanomaterials, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China. Electronic address: qiuyeli@henu.edu.cn.

PMID: 37527602
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.07.147

Abstract

Integration of photothermal materials and photocatalysts can effectively improve photocatalytic hydrogen production. However, the synergistic mechanism of photothermal effect and heterojunction still need to be deeply investigated. Herein, Co₃O₄@ZnIn₂S₄ (ZIS) core-shell heterojunction was constructed as a photothermal/ photocatalytic integrated system for photocatalytic hydrogen production. The photothermal effect induced by Co₃O₄ boosts the surface reaction kinetic of hydrogen evolution with an apparent activation energy decrease from 42.0 kJ⋅mol^-1 to 33.5 kJ⋅mol^-1. The photothermal effect also increases the charge concentrations of Co₃O₄@ZIS, which ameliorates the conductivity of Co₃O₄@ZIS and thus benefits to charge transfer. In addition, a p-n junction forms between Co₃O₄ and ZIS and provides a built-in electric field to enhance charge separate and prolong charge life time. Benefiting from the synergy of photothermal effect and heterojunction, the photocatalytic performance of Co₃O₄@ZIS is significantly improved with a highest hydrogen evolution rate of 4515 μmol⋅g^-1⋅h^-1, which is about 3.5 times higher than that of pure ZIS. This work offers a full perspective to understand the photothermal/photocatalytic integrated conception for solar hydrogen production.

Keywords: Charge separation; Co(3)O(4)@ZnIn(2)S(4); Heterojunction; Photothermal effect; Surface reaction kinetic.