A hierarchical SnS@ZnIn2S4 marigold flower-like 2D nano-heterostructure as an efficient photocatalyst for sunlight-driven hydrogen generation
Herein, we report the in situ single-step hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical 2D SnS@ZnIn 2 S 4 nano-heterostructures and the examination of their photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen generation from H 2 S and water under sunlight. The photoactive sulfides rationally integrate via strong elec...
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| Published in: | Nanoscale advances 2020-06, Vol.2 (6), p.2577-2586 |
|---|---|
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | eng |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Herein, we report the
in situ
single-step hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical 2D SnS@ZnIn
2
S
4
nano-heterostructures and the examination of their photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen generation from H
2
S and water under sunlight. The photoactive sulfides rationally integrate
via
strong electrostatic interactions between ZnIn
2
S
4
and SnS with two-dimensional ultrathin subunits,
i.e.
nanopetals. The morphological study of nano-heterostructures revealed that the hierarchical marigold flower-like structure is self-assembled
via
the nanopetals of ZnIn
2
S
4
with few layers of SnS nanopetals. Surprisingly, it also showed that the SnS nanopetals with a thickness of ∼25 nm couple
in situ
with the nanopetals of ZnIn
2
S
4
with a thickness of ∼25 nm to form a marigold flower–like assembly with intimate contact. Considering the unique band gap (2.0–2.4 eV) of this SnS@ZnIn
2
S
4
, photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water and H
2
S was performed under sunlight. SnS@ZnIn
2
S
4
exhibits enhanced hydrogen evolution,
i.e.
650 μmol h
−1
g
−1
from water and 6429 μmol h
−1
g
−1
from H
2
S, which is much higher compared to that of pure ZnIn
2
S
4
and SnS. More significantly, the enhancement in hydrogen generation is 1.6–2 times more for H
2
S splitting and 6 times more for water splitting. SnS@ZnIn
2
S
4
forms type I band alignment, which accelerates charge separation during the surface reaction. Additionally, this has been provoked by the nanostructuring of the materials. Due to the nano-heterostructure with hierarchical morphology, the surface defects increased which ultimately suppresses the recombination of the electron–hole pair. The above-mentioned facts demonstrate a significant improvement in the interface electron transfer kinetics due to such a unique 2D nano-heterostructure semiconductor which is responsible for a higher photocatalytic activity.
Herein, we report the
in situ
single-step hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical 2D SnS@ZnIn
2
S
4
nano-heterostructures and the examination of their photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen generation from H
2
S and water under sunlight. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2516-0230 |