Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution efficiency using hollow microspheres of (CuIn)xZn2(1−x)S2 solid solutions

Abstract

Hollow spheres of multicomponent (CuIn)_xZn_2(1−x)S₂ solid solutions have been rapidly synthesized by a salt-assisted aerosol decomposition method. (CuIn)_0.2Zn_1.6S₂ hollow spheres with a band gap of 2.53 eV exhibited an excellent and stable photocatalytic activity of 360 μmol h⁻¹ (50 mg photocatalysts) for hydrogen evolution from aqueous solutions containing sacrificial reagents (SO₃²⁻ and S²⁻) under visible light (λ ≥ 420 nm) due to the well-crystallized microspheres and mesoporous structures. H₂ evolution rate of the (CuIn)_0.2Zn_1.6S₂ hollow spheres reached as high as 57 μmol h⁻¹ (50 mg photocatalysts) even without Ru loading.