Ternary dual S-scheme In2O3/SnIn4S8/CdS heterojunctions for boosted light-to-hydrogen conversion

Developing artificial S-scheme systems with highly active catalysts is significant to long-term solar-to-hydrogen conversion. Herein, CdS nanodots-modified hierarchical In2O3/SnIn4S8 hollow nanotubes were synthesized by an oil bath method for water splitting. Benefiting from the synergy among the hollow structure, tiny size effect, matched energy level positions, and abundant coupling heterointerfaces, the optimized nanohybrid attains an impressive photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 110.4 mu mol/h, and the corresponding apparent quantum yield reaches 9.7% at 420 nm. On In2O3/SnIn4S8/CdS interfaces, the migration of photoinduced electrons from both CdS and In2O3 to SnIn4S8 via intense electronic interactions contributes to the ternary dual S-scheme modes, which are beneficial to promote faster spatial charge separation, deliver better visible light-harvesting ability, and provide more reaction active sites with high potentials. This work reveals protocols for rational design of on-demand S-scheme heterojunctions for sustainably converting solar energy into hydrogen in the absence of precious metals.

Automated summary

CdS nanodots-modified In2O3/SnIn4S8 hollow nanotubes were synthesized, which showed impressive photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate and apparent quantum yield. The migration of photoinduced electrons from both CdS and In2O3 to SnIn4S8 contributed to the ternary dual S-scheme modes, promoting faster charge separation and better visible light absorption. This work reveals a method for sustainably converting solar energy into hydrogen without precious metals through rational design of S-scheme heterojunctions.