Efficient charge separation in hierarchical NiS@ZnIn2S4 hollow nanospheres for photocatalytic water splitting

In this work, hierarchical NiS@ZnIn2S4 heterostructure was developed by constructing ultra-thin ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) nanosheets on hollow NiS nanospheres for hydrogen production from photocatalytic water splitting. The NiS@ZIS displayed a strong optical absorption ability in the visible region and a high specific surface area of 33.14 m(2)/g. The Type-I band alignment in NiS@ZIS heterostructure was determined by the combination of UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and Mott-Schottky curves. The photocatalytic hydrogen production of NiS@ZIS (1.24 mmol g(-1) h(-1)) was nearly 5.6 times higher than that of ZIS under visible light, in the absence of any co-catalyst and sacrificial agent. The separation and migration of charge in NiS@ZIS were characterized by a series of spectroscopy and photo/electrochemical tests, which verified the efficient charge transfer from ZIS to NiS. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Automated summary

In this study, a hierarchical NiS@ZIS heterostructure was developed for photocatalytic water splitting to produce hydrogen. The NiS@ZIS exhibited strong optical absorption and high specific surface area in the visible region, and achieved efficient hydrogen production under visible light.