Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of Z-scheme BiVO4/ZnIn2S4 4 /ZnIn 2 S 4 heterostructure driven by visible light

Solar hydrogen production photocatalysis technology faces a significant challenge in designing and synthesizing efficient photocatalysts to achieve rapid migration of photo-induced charge carriers. This study introduces a method for preparing a BiVO4/ZnIn2S4 4 /ZnIn 2 S 4 (BZS) Z-scheme photocatalyst through cation-exchange and low- temperature water bath synthesis. This system accelerates the separation and migration of photo-induced charges to precisely adjust the redox centers at the BiVO4/ZnIn2S4 4 /ZnIn 2 S 4 heterogeneous interface, enhancing the redox capabilities of both holes and electrons. Consequently, the BiVO4/ZnIn2S4 4 /ZnIn 2 S 4 heterojunction demonstrates outstanding photocatalytic performance. It reveals that BZS-0.3 (with 0.3 mmol BiVO4) 4 ) achieves a photocurrent density of 0.42 mA cm-- 2 at 1.70 V vs. NHE (8.4 times that of BiVO4) 4 ) and exhibits superior hydrogen evolution performance under visible light, reaching 2243 mmol g-1h- h- 1 (19 times that of BiVO4). 4 ). Cyclability tests confirm the good stability of BZS-0.3, offering a promising photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen production and presenting a new strategy for developing exceptional photocatalytic materials.