Rationally Design and In-Situ Fabrication of Ultrasmall Pomegranate-Like Cdin2s4/Znin2s4 Z-Scheme Heterojunction with Abundant Vacancies for Improving Co2 Reduction and Water Splitting

Abstract:​ Exploring efficient and robust CO2 photoreduction and water splitting photocatalysts are critical for closing the anthropogenic carbon cycle and developing H2 energy source. Herein, ultrasmall pomegranate-like Z-scheme CdIn2S4/ZnIn2S4 heterojunctions with abundant vacancies were rationally designed and in-situ constructed though solvothermal method with precipitation conversion strategy. The obtained CdIn2S4/ZnIn2S4-3 photocatalyst displays the highest performance in the photocatalytic conversion of CO2 and H2O into CO and H2 with yields of 1194.5 and 475.7 μmolg−1h−1, respectively, which increase respectively by 62.2% and 123.1% compared to CdIn2S4 under the visible light irradiation. In addition, CdIn2S4/ZnIn2S4-4 hybrid exhibits excellent stability and activity during the 23-hour continuous HER, the average yield of H2 in 23-hour is up to 10286.6 μmolg−1h−1. This study provides a practical method for in-situ fabrication of ultrasmall pomegranate-like Z-scheme nano-heterostructures with abundant vacancies, which are valuable for efficient and robust implementation in a wide range of environmental and energy applications