Hydrilla derived ZnIn2S4 photocatalyst with hexagonal-cubic phase junctions: A bio-inspired approach for H2 evolution

The nature provides inspiration for many special structures due to biological diversity. In this report ZnIn2S4 with hexagonal-cubic phase junctions was prepared through a bio-inspired approach using hydrilla as a template and can significantly enhance photocatalytic H-2 evolution under visible-light in comparison to those hexagonal or cubic single-phase structures. The enhancement in photocatalytic performance has been shown to be attributed to efficient charge separation and transfer across the hexagonal-cubic phase junction and light harvesting of special hydrilla leaves structure. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.