Integrating photogenerated charge carriers for hydrogen production on noble-metal free dual-photocatalyst under visible light

Simultaneous using photogenerated electrons and holes in one reaction to produce H-2 and value-added organic intermediates hold great promise for the green synthesis of chemicals and clean energy. Herein, we designed an efficient, noble-metal free and dual-photocatalyst Ni/Zn3In2S6 for simultaneous aldehydes synthesis and H-2 production under visible light irradiation. Due to the reasonable band structure of Zn3In2S6 and the Schottky barrier established between Zn3In2S6 and Ni, the photogenerated electrons and holes with suitable redox potentials can be spatially separated and efficiently transferred. Thereby, alcohols can be highly selective oxidized into corresponding aldehydes or carbonyl compounds at Zn3In2S6 by the holes, and the released protons can be rapidly reduced into H-2 at Ni by the electrons. The H-2 evolution of the optimal Ni/Zn3In2S6 can reach up to 277.2 mu mol h(-1), which is about 6.5 and 5.3 times as high as that of the pristine Zn3In2S6 and the Pt/Zn3In2S6, respectively. Ni/Zn3In2S6 also shows the stability and general applicability for other aromatic and non-aromatic alcohols. Compared with NiSx, NiOx and Ni2+ cocatalysts, the metallic state of Ni is the key to achieving these photoredox reactions for effective utilization of photoexcited holes and electrons in one reaction system. During the photoredox reactions, two protons derived from O-H and C alpha-H are abstracted from alcohols and then reduced into H-2 by the photogenerated electrons. At the same time, alcohols are oxidized into aldehydes or carbonyl compounds by the photogenerated holes.

Automated summary

Simultaneous synthesis of aldehydes and production of H-2 using photogenerated electrons and holes has been achieved using an efficient and noble-metal free dual-photocatalyst Ni/Zn3In2S6. This photocatalyst enables the spatial separation and efficient transfer of photogenerated electrons and holes, allowing for selective oxidation of alcohols into aldehydes or carbonyl compounds by the holes, and rapid reduction of protons into H-2 by the electrons. The Ni/Zn3In2S6 catalyst exhibits high H-2 evolution and stability, making it a promising candidate for green synthesis and clean energy production.