The construction of ZnS–In2S3 nanonests and their heterojunction boosted visible-light photocatalytic/photoelectrocatalytic performance

Abstract

The photocatalytic/photoelectrocatalytic performance of nanomaterials can be enhanced by engineering a purposely designed heterojunction and a finely tuned interface electronic structure. In this featured study, we report a kind of slack ZnS–In₂S₃ nanonest constructed with uniform nanowires consisting of very tiny nanoparticles. Its unique microstructure created abundant heterojunctions and significantly enhanced the photocatalytic/photoelectrocatalytic performance of ZnS–In₂S₃ under visible light. As a photoelectrocatalyst, the ZnS–In₂S₃ heterojunction delivered a photocurrent density of 180 μA cm⁻² at 1.23 V (vs. RHE), which is 1.5 times higher than that of pure In₂S₃ and far higher than that of ZnS. As a photocatalyst, the ZnS–In₂S₃ nanonest can completely degrade methyl orange (MO) in 20 min, which is much faster than that by pure ZnS and In₂S₃ under visible light. The average apparent rate of the ZnS–In₂S₃ heterojunction nanonest is almost four times higher than that of pure In₂S₃. These remarkable performances are attributed to the unique ZnS–In₂S₃ heterojunction, which could decrease the average free path of charge carriers and improve the charge separation efficiency.