A novel hierarchical Co3O4/ZnIn2S4 0D/3D p-n heterojunction nanocomposite for efficient visible-light-driven hydrogen production

Abstract

In this study, a hierarchical Co₃O₄/ZnIn₂S₄ 0D/3D p-n heterojunction nanocomposite photocatalyst with a nanosheet microsphere structure was synthesized via a simple liquid-phase hybridization method. First, 3D hierarchical ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheet microspheres and 0D Co₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and a high-temperature process, respectively. Subsequently, the 0D spherical Co₃O₄ nanoparticles were embedded into the ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheet microspheres to construct a p-n heterojunction nanocomposite photocatalyst. Due to the synergistic effects of the p-n heterojunction, built-in electric field, and the 0D/3D hierarchical nanosheet microsphere structure, the Co₃O₄/ZnIn₂S₄ nanocomposite exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for visible-light-driven hydrogen production from water. The optimized photocatalytic performance was approximately 4.6 times higher than that of the pristine ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheet microspheres, with an apparent quantum yield of around 8.15 %. The possible photocatalytic mechanism was also discussed. These findings provide valuable insights for the design and development of efficient 0D/3D p-n heterojunction photocatalysts for energy and environmental applications.