Design and architecture of ZnIn2S4 and ZnIn2S4-based hybrid materials for photocatalytic, electrocatalytic and photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Photocatalytic innovations are routinely employed in the production of hydrogen, remediation of environmental damage, lowering CO2 emissions, and numerous additional critical disciplines because of their sustainability, ease of being implemented, and dependability on solar energy as a mandate source. ZnIn2S4, a ternary metal sulfide, has garnered considerable interest among visible-light-responsive photocatalysts due to its outstanding properties that include convenient synthesis, outstanding resilience, and controllable band configuration. Subsequently, the constrained being harvested of sunlight, rapid recombination of photogenerated charges, and the minimal threshold redox capacity remain some imperfections that considerably hinder the optimization of the photocatalytic productivity for the ZnIn2S4 photocatalyst. The identified inadequacies can be alleviated through the formation of heterojunctions between ZnIn2S4 and other semiconductors. Recently, various semiconductor photocatalysts, such as sulfur compounds (ZnS, CoS, FeS2), metal oxides (WO3, TiO2, In2O3), and some organic compounds, have been amalgamated with ZnIn2S4 to derive ZnIn2S4-based S-scheme heterojunctions to improve its catalytic performance. However, the implementation is limited by photogenerated carrier recombination and photocorrosion. These challenges can be accomplished through the formation of S-scheme heterojunctions by integrating ZnIn2S4 alongside additional semiconductors; however, S-scheme heterojunctions' photocatalytic activity remains capable of being augmented. The extensive photocatalytic applications of ZnIn2S4-based S-scheme heterojunctions have been thoroughly demonstrated with specific examples, including H2 production, CO2 reduction, and environmental remediation. Currently, the alteration of ZnIn2S4 through metal ion doping and non-metal doping is receiving limited attention. Consequently, investigations into the impact of non-metallic alterations on the characteristics of ZnIn2S4 might be extended. This article outlines the current challenges and critical issues related to ZnIn2S4 and photocatalysts comprised of ZnIn2S4. A perceptive prognosis concerning forthcoming advancements and varied challenges in ZnIn2S4-based materials is emphasized.