Recent Advances in Nanoscale Engineering of Ternary Metal Sulfide-Based Heterostructures for Photocatalytic Water SplittingApplications

:ternary metal sulfides (TMSs) have been widelydocumented as an important subgroup of semiconducting materialsin solar water splitting into hydrogen (H2) fuel. Recently, interesthas been rekindled in this specific branch of chalcogenide materials,particularly in the opportune integration of indium-based TMSswith emerging materials such as MXenes, metal-organic frameworks(MOFs), carbon quantum dots (CQDs), carbon nanofibers(CNFs), and metal-like Mo2C for various nanoscale heterojunctionformations. In this mini review, recent outstanding advances ofTMS-based heterostructures are concisely reviewed. Following anoverview of the fundamental rationales of photocatalytic watersplitting, a panorama of different indium-based TMSs (ZnIn2S4,CdIn2S4, and CaIn2S4) and their heterostructures (Z-scheme,conventional heterojunction, and Schottky junction) are outlined and discussed in terms of mechanistic insights and watersplitting application prospects. On top of that, investigations of other burgeoning TMS-based heterostructures are carried out,followed by recommendations on future prospects of emerging TMS-based materials and the key challenges in practical watersplitting. It is believed that this critical mini review is timely to bring new advances of TMS-based heterostructures and acts as areference toward future endeavors in developing highly efficient and stable photocatalytic systems for H2generation.

Automated summary

This review briefly summarizes the recent advances in TMS-based heterostructures, discussing the mechanistic insights and water splitting application prospects of indium-based TMSs and their heterostructures. It also explores other emerging TMS-based heterostructures and provides recommendations for future prospects and challenges in practical water splitting.