Construction of Au nanoparticles decorated on ZnFe2O4@ZnIn2S4 core-shell structure to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen production

Developing effective photocatalysts for water splitting is essential to generating H₂ energy sources. Herein, a novel ZnFe₂O₄@ZnIn₂S₄/Au ternary composite (abbreviated as ZFO@ZIS/Au) was successfully designed and fabricated by loading Au nanoparticles on the ZFO@ZIS surfaces for effective photocatalytic H₂ generation for the first time. Attributed to the synergistic effect of the traditional II-type heterojunction charge transfer and Au nanoparticles as co-catalysts, the ZFO@ZIS/Au heterojunction generated greater amounts of hydrogen under visible light irradiation. The ZFO-7 %@ZIS/Au-2 catalyst displayed the highest H₂ production rate of 1145.38 μmol∙g⁻¹∙h⁻¹, which was almost 3.87 times more than the ZIS value. Furthermore, several characterization techniques were performed to investigate the catalysts and evaluate the catalyst's photocatalytic activity when exposed to visible light. Lastly, a detailed discussion of the corresponding photocatalytic H₂ production process of the as-prepared ZFO@ZIS/Au heterojunction was provided. The distinctive research might offer a potential approach for modifying zinc ferrate for photocatalytic hydrogen production.