Multication and Structure Regulation: Utilizing X-Doped (X = Co, Mn, Cu) ZnS/CoO Hollow Composites to Spatially Propel the Charge for Superior Solar Hydrogen Evolution

Developing polyhedral hollow structures with a concise and flexible method is intensively pursued to construct the high-efficiency photocatalytic system. Herein, a general ion exchange-induced strategy is developed to synthesize various hollow X-doped (X = Co, Mn, Cu) ZnS with tunable interior components. To make the reactivity superior, abundant CoO nanoparticles are integrated into doped ZnS hollow microstar as visible-light-responsive photocatalysts for efficient H-2 evolution. This distinct heterostructure gives full play to the following structural and compositional virtues: (i) multifacet light reflections in cavity offer massive photoexcited active centers for water photosplitting; (ii) the built-in electric field (formed at the p-n junction) accelerates interfacial charge separation and enhance the reducibility of photogenerated electrons, which endows the doped ZnS/CoO composite superior H-2 evolution rate (1763.17 mu mol h(-1) g(-1)) and stable cyclability without needing any cocatalyst. More importantly, the formation of the potential barrier at the p-n nanointerface and essential hydrogen evolution reaction steps are investigated to gain insight into the catalytic mechanism of the doped ZnS/CoO system.

Automated summary

A general ion exchange-induced strategy was developed to synthesize various hollow X-doped (X = Co, Mn, Cu) ZnS with tunable interior components. Abundant CoO nanoparticles integrated into doped ZnS hollow microstar as visible-light-responsive photocatalysts for efficient H-2 evolution, giving a superior H-2 evolution rate (1763.17 mu mol h(-1) g(-1)) and stable cyclability without needing any cocatalyst. The catalytic mechanism of the doped ZnS/CoO system was investigated by studying the formation of potential barriers at the p-n nanointerface and essential hydrogen evolution reaction steps.