Photoassisted fabrication of zinc indium oxide/oxysulfide composite for enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution under visible-light irradiation

摘要

A photoassisted approach has been developed to synthesize a zinc indium oxide (Zn₅In₂O₈)/oxysulfide composite through in situ sulfuration of vacancy-rich Zn₅In₂O₈. It was found that vacancies have a considerable impact on the formation of the composite. The composite exhibited an increased photocatalytic H₂ evolution activity under visible-light irradiation, which probably resulted from the enhanced ability to separate photoinduced electrons and holes. The H₂ evolution rate over the composite was about 17 times higher when using vacancy-rich rather than conventional Zn₅In₂O₈. This study provides a new method of improving the activity of photocatalysts.