Issue 39, 2024

Recent advances in quaternary copper-based sulfides and their derivatives for solar hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Quaternary copper-based sulfides (QCSs) exhibit significant potential for solar hydrogen evolution due to their diverse compositions and structures, suitable band structure, controllable synthesis, and non-toxic nature. Strengthening cognition for nanostructures enables the fabrication of high-efficiency photocatalysts. Although a comprehensive understanding of photocatalytic processes of QCS-based photocatalysts has been recently accumulated, the correlation between structure and function remains incompletely elucidated. This overview begins with an introduction to the fundamental principles of solar hydrogen evolution. Subsequently, we provide a succinct description of the controllable synthesis of QCS-based photocatalysts. The structure–function correlation of single QCSs is systematically discussed by exploring how structure-related properties influence photocatalytic processes. Recent advancements based on single QCSs are described in detail. As a guide, we further discuss the structure–function correlation of QCS-based derivatives including semiconductor heterojunctions, cocatalyst loading, heteroatom doping, and polytypic homojunctions. Different mechanisms of activity enhancement are provided along with a summary of their research progress in solar hydrogen evolution. In conclusion, challenges and prospects for materials synthesis and energy conversion are proposed. We anticipate that this overview will offer valuable insights for future exploration of QCS-based photocatalysts, greatly advancing the progress in this emerging research field.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in quaternary copper-based sulfides and their derivatives for solar hydrogen evolution

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
06 Jun 2024
Accepted
19 Jul 2024
First published
19 Jul 2024

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 26390-26420

Recent advances in quaternary copper-based sulfides and their derivatives for solar hydrogen evolution

Y. Li, Z. Liu, J. Chen, S. Wang, O. Lin, C. Yang, Z. Yin and A. Tang, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, 12, 26390 DOI: 10.1039/D4TA03912B

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements