2D/2D Coupled ZnIn2S4/TiO2 Heterojunction and Enhanced Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2

doi:10.15541/jim20250097

Abstract

Abstract: As a typical photocatalytic material, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has been widely applied in environmental remediation and energy conversion due to its excellent chemical stability, non-toxicity, and low cost. However, its wide bandgap structure restricts light absorption to ultraviolet wavelengths, and the severe recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs in bulk materials limits quantum efficiency. A hydrothermal method was used to construct a novel 2D/2D coupled ZnIn₂S₄ (ZIS)@TiO₂ composite material. This heterojunction consists of ultrathin TiO₂ nanocages composited with ZIS nanosheets, exhibiting a unique hollow core-shell morphology. ZIS-T20 catalyst with composite 40 mg TiO₂ nanocages demonstrates significantly enhanced light absorption across a broad wavelength range of 400-720 nm. Under the influence of the built-in electric field, photo-generated electrons cannot migrate from the conduction band (CB) of ZIS to that of TiO₂, whereas the transfer of holes from the valence band (VB) of ZIS to that of TiO₂ proceeds unimpeded. This spatial separation effect preserves electrons with high reduction potential in ZIS, overcoming the inherent drawback of reduced redox capability in conventional type-I heterojunctions. In photocatalytic CO₂ reduction (PCR) reaction, ZIS@TiO₂ exhibits improved performance, achieving CO and CH₄ production rates of 58.87 and 12.03 μmol·g^-1·h^-1, respectively, with CO selectivity as high as 83.03%. Compared to individual components, the CO yield was 6.15 and 1.96 times higher than that of pristine ZnIn₂S₄ and TiO₂, respectively. This work not only provides a new strategy for designing efficient 2D/2D heterojunction photocatalysts, but also offers valuable insights into understanding interfacial charge transfer mechanisms.

Key words: 2D/2D coupling, TiO₂ nanosheet, photocatalytic CO₂ reduction, heterojunction, ZnIn₂S₄

CLC Number:

TQ426

ZHU Jianhua, YANG Xin, RU Lingjie. 2D/2D Coupled ZnIn₂S₄/TiO₂Heterojunction and Enhanced Photocatalytic Reduction of CO₂[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, DOI: 10.15541/jim20250097.

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2D/2D Coupled ZnIn₂S₄/TiO₂Heterojunction and Enhanced Photocatalytic Reduction of CO₂

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