Design of ZnIn2S4@N-Fe3C Nanorods-Embedded Nanocages Assemblies for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation

Cocatalyst materials can promote the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and accelerate the catalytically active sites of semiconductor photocatalysts. However, it is critical to make low-cost, noble-metal-free materials with high catalytic reactivity, yet this task is extremely difficult to do. Herein, an effective photocatalytic hydrogen generation process has been developed using N-doped Fe3C (N-Fe3C) nanocages adorned with ultrathin ZnIn2S4 nanosheets produced from a dual metal organic framework. In addition, the highly porous hybrid structure developed gives a large number of active sites for catalytic reduction events, and light scattering can be used to better capture visible light. Due to their improved solar-driven hydrogen evolution rate (9,600 mu mol h(-1) g(-1)) and apparent quantum efficiency (3.6 %), these structures are superior to those of Pt noble-metal co-catalytic systems and ZnIn2S4-based nanohybrids, which were previously reported.

Automated summary

A low-cost, noble-metal-free photocatalyst with high catalytic reactivity has been successfully developed by utilizing N-doped Fe3C nanocages adorned with ultrathin ZnIn2S4 nanosheets produced from a dual metal organic framework. The highly porous hybrid structure provides a large number of active sites for catalytic reduction events and enables better capture of visible light through light scattering.