Recent advances in the design and fabrication of ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction into value-added chemicals

Abstract

With the intensification of global energy crisis and environmental pollution problems, photocatalytic CO2 reduction technology, which is a sustainable method for carbon capture and conversion, has received widespread attention. ZnIn2S4, as a promising semiconductor photocatalyst with a unique layered structure, excellent visible light response, high stability, excellent photoelectric performance, and high light capture capability, exhibits excellent performance in the field of photocatalytic CO2 reduction. This review focuses on the design and fabrication of ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts and their recent progress in the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 into value-added chemicals. Various preparation methods, such as the hydrothermal method, microwave-assisted method, in situ deposition method, solvothermal method, and elemental doping method, are described in detail for the preparation of ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts. Moreover, the modification strategies, such as elemental doping, core–shell construction, heterojunction construction, and defect engineering, are used for ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts to significantly enhance their photogenerated charge separation efficiency and photocatalytic performance. This review also provides some common in situ characterization methods and density functional theory calculations for ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. However, some challenges such as improving the photocatalytic efficiency and understanding the reaction mechanism still persists. In the end, future prospects for ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts are addressed. This review aims to provide some insights into the rational design of efficient photocatalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction into value-added chemicals, which will help achieve the goal of carbon neutrality as soon as possible.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in the design and fabrication of ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction into value-added chemicals

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
29 Jul 2025
Accepted
08 Sep 2025
First published
26 Sep 2025

Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2025, Advance Article

Recent advances in the design and fabrication of ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction into value-added chemicals

L. Wang, L. Wei, Q. Fan and C. Yu, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2025, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D5SE01033K

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