Rationally designed Ta3N5/ZnIn2S4 1D/2D heterojunctions for boosting Visible-Light-driven hydrogen evolution

Abstract

• A novel 1D/2D Ta 3 N 5 /ZnIn 2 S 4 heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized. • The ultra ZnIn 2 S 4 nanosheets could provide abundant active sites to accelerate photocatalytic HER reaction. • A dramatically enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H 2 production rate was achieved. • The photocatalytic mechanism was clarified by characterizations and theoretical calculation. The rational design on structures is recognized as one of significant challenges and fundamental cases for exploring high-efficiency visible-light-driven photocatalyst. Herein, we report the construction of Ta 3 N 5 /ZnIn 2 S 4 1D/2D heterojunctions, in which the layered ZnIn 2 S 4 nanosheets are anchored upon single-crystalline Ta 3 N 5 nanorods. Attributed to the rationally designed 1D/2D heterojunctions, the as-prepared Ta 3 N 5 /ZnIn 2 S 4 hybrids have enhanced light absorptivity, improved charge separation and transfer, as well as abundant active sites for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). As a proof of concept, under visible-light irradiation, the resultant Ta 3 N 5 /ZnIn 2 S 4 heterojunctions deliver a H 2 -production rate of 637.18 μmol g −1 h −1 , which is ∼88 and 4 times higher than those of pure Ta 3 N 5 nanorods and ZnIn 2 S 4 nanosheets, respectively, and also superior to those of Ta 3 N 5 -based photocatalysts ever reported.