Synthesis of multicomponent sulfide Ag2ZnSnS4 as an efficient photocatalyst for H2 production under visible light irradiation

Stannite-type multicomponent sulfide (Ag2ZnSnS4) nanoparticles with particle diameters of 100-200 nm were synthesized through a solvothermal treatment combined with a post-annealing process under N-2 atmosphere. The obtained Ag2ZnSnS4 was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photocatalytic activities for hydrogen production of Ag2ZnSnS4 were evaluated under visible light (lambda >= 420 nm) irradiation. It was found that the 1.0 wt% Pt-loaded Ag2ZnSnS4 displayed a photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of 580 mu mol h(-1) with a fairly good apparent quantum efficiency of 15.2% at 420 nm incident light irradiation.