A bifunctional hierarchical core–shell Mo2C@ZnIn2S4 Schottky junction for efficient photocatalytic H2-evolution integrated with valuable furfural production

Abstract

Integrating the photocatalytic evolution of clean fuel hydrogen (H₂) and high value-added products in a cooperative photoredox system is highly indispensable to achieve green and eco-sustainable development. Herein, an exquisite bifunctional core–shell Mo₂C@ZnIn₂S₄ Schottky heterojunction is judiciously designed and constructed to simultaneously exploit photoexcited electron–hole pairs, achieving H₂ production coupled with valuable furfuraldehyde (FAL) generation. The optimized Mo₂C@ZnIn₂S₄ photocatalyst exhibits 24.1-fold improved H₂-yield and a superior FAL-production rate (11.33 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹) compared to blank ZnIn₂S₄, and is also superior to Pt/ZnIn₂S₄ and many previously reported photocatalysts. The boosted photocatalytic redox activity could be attributed to the synergistic effect of the distinctive hierarchical core–shell structure and the non-noble-metal cocatalyst Mo₂C, which results in a tight-contact heterointerface, a large specific surface area, abundant electron transport channels, and separate oxidation and reduction sites, thereby prominently promoting spatial photocarrier separation and migration kinetics. This study provides a deeper insight into the rational design of highly efficient bifunctional photocatalysts to steer photocarrier flows for the collaborative reactions of H₂ evolution and biomass conversion.