Metal-organic framework-derived nitrogen-doped carbon-coated hollow tubular In2O3/CdZnS heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

• Published in: Science China materials 2023-03, Vol.66 (3), p.1042-1052
• Main Authors: Zhang, Weijie, Zhao, Shunshun, Qin, Hongjie, Zheng, Qiling, Zhang, Penghui, Li, Xiaojuan, Li, ChuanLin, Wang, TongKai, Li, Na, Zhang, Shouwei, Xu, Xijin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Carrier recombination; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Electron transfer; Electron transport; Heterojunctions; Heterostructures; Hydrogen evolution; Indium oxides; Light reflection; Materials Science; Metal-organic frameworks; Nitrogen; Photocatalysis
• ISSN: 2095-8226; 2199-4501
• DOI: 10.1007/s40843-022-2209-9

Using photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) technology is a powerful way to solve the energy shortage. In this study, a hexagonal hollow tubular nitrogen-doped carbon (N−C)-coated In 2 O 3 /CdZnS heterojunction photocatalyst was in situ synthesized using a simple oil bath heating method. Results show that the PHE rate of N−C/In 2 O 3 /CdZnS (∼22.87 µmol h −1 ) is ∼2.4 times that of pristine CdZnS (∼9.49 µmol h −1 ) and ∼54.5 times that of pristine In 2 O 3 (∼0.42 µmol h −1 ). After four cycles, the PHE rate can still retain more than 90% of the original. Its excellent photocatalytic performance is mainly attributed to the following aspects: (1) the N−C layer acts as an electron transport bridge, which ensures the efficient electron transfer of the photocatalytic reaction; (2) the hollow tubular structure enhances the light reflection and absorption; (3) the N−C/In 2 O 3 /CdZnS heterostructure improves the carrier recombination and photocorrosion; (4) the large specific surface area and mesoporous structure provide a large number of reactive sites. This study provides a novel idea for designing visible-light-type heterojunction catalysts.