One‐Step MOF‐Templated Strategy to Fabrication of Ce‐Doped ZnIn₂S₄ Tetrakaidecahedron Hollow Nanocages as an Efficient Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Achieving structure optimizing and component regulation simultaneously in the ZnIn2S4‐based photocatalytic system is an enormous challenge in improving its hydrogen evolution performance. 3D hollow‐structured photocatalysts have been intensively studied due to their obvious advantages in solar energy conversion reactions. The synthesis of 3D hollow‐structured ZnIn2S4, however, is limited by the lack of suitable template or synthesis methods, thereby restricting the wide application of ZnIn2S4 in the field of photocatalysis. Herein, Ce‐doped ZnIn2S4 photocatalysts with hollow nanocages are obtained via one‐step hydrothermal method with an ordered large‐pore tetrakaidecahedron cerium‐based metal–organic frameworks (Ce‐MOFs) as template and Ce ion source. The doping of Ce and the formation of ZnIn2S4 tetrakaidecahedron hollow nanocages with ultrathin nanosheet subunits are simultaneously induced by the Ce‐MOFs, making this groundbreaking work. The Ce‐doped ZnIn2S4 with a nonspherical 3D hollow nanostructure inherit the tetrakaidecahedron shape of the Ce‐MOF templates, and the shell is composed of ultrathin nanosheet subunits. Both theoretical and experimental results indicate that the doping of Ce and the formation of hollow nanocages increase light capture and the separation of photogenerated charge carriers.

Self-assembly of a heterogeneous microreactor with carbon dots embedded in Ti-MOF derived ZnIn2S4/TiO2 microcapsules for efficient CO2 photoreduction

“…This heterogeneous microreactor can strengthen the electron trapping ability, and thus requires more electrons and protons to generate CH 4 . Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with fascinating topology, large pore volume, and chemical adjustability provide an excellent platform to fabricate the semiconductors with a microcapsule structure 12,13 including metal oxides, 14 metal sulfides, 15 layered double hydroxides (LDHs) by using ion-exchange or solvothermal method, 16 which enables the encapsulation of numerous nanoparticles or nanosheets on the capsules. For instance, Bibi et al found that thioacetamide (TAA) can decompose MIL-125 to form TiO 2 /CdS capsules after the post-solvothermal method, which exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity.…”

Porphyrin‐based Donor–Acceptor Covalent Organic Polymer/ZnIn2S4 Z‐Scheme Heterostructure for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

“…[1][2][3][4][5] However, the poor visible light absorption of photocatalysts limits solar light energy utilization and thus restricts their practical applications. The sulfides, such as CdS, ZnS, ZnIn 2 S 4 , [6][7][8] etc., have been mainly used as visible-light photocatalytic materials. ZnIn 2 S 4 (ZIS) is one of the most promising photocatalysts with an adjustable band gap (2.06-2.85 eV) for visible light absorption.…”

The Mott–Schottky heterojunction MoC@NG@ZIS with enhanced kinetic response for promoting photocatalytic hydrogen production

“…† The lattice spacings of 0.32 and 0.25 nm are assigned to the (102) plane of ZIS and the (111) plane of MoC, respectively, demonstrating the successful combination of ZIS and MoC@NG via the in situ solvothermal method. 37,38 The STEM-EDS (scan transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy) images further conrm the good coupling of ZIS and MoC@NG and suggest the uniform distribution of Zn, In, S, Mo and N elements (Fig. 1g).…”