Enhancing photocatalytic hydrogen evolution via efficient carrier separation in interpenetrating layered Ti3C2-MoS2-ZnIn2S4 heterojunctions

Reasonable design and preparation of effective interface engineering to accelerate charge transfer is the key to achieve the improvement of heterojunction photocatalysts. In this study, a Ti 3 C 2 -MoS 2 -ZnIn 2 S 4 (TMZ) heterojunction was designed and successfully synthesized by sequentially growing MoS 2 and ZnIn 2 S 4 layered structures on highly conductive Ti 3 C 2 using a two-step hydrothermal method. This configuration effectively separated photogenerated carrier, thereby improving the efficiency of photocatalytic hydrogen production. The effects of the amount of Ti 3 C 2 -MoS 2 on the microstructure, morphology, optical properties and photocatalytic H 2 production of TMZ heterojunctions were investigated. Results demonstrated that Ti 3 C 2 , MoS 2 , and ZnIn 2 S 4 intricately interpenetrated to form a tightly bound TMZ heterojunction with a well-defined heterojunctions interface. This interface is beneficial for the separation of photogenerated carriers, thereby boosting the photocatalytic performance. The dynamic process of carrier separation was investigated in detail using photocurrent measurements, EIS Nyquist plots, photoluminescence, and fluorescence lifetime analysis. Additionally, compared to pristine ZnIn 2 S 4 , the absorption edge of TMZ sample exhibited a redshift, indicating an expanded absorption range in the visible spectrum. Finally, the mechanism by which TMZ enhances the efficiency of photocatalytic H 2 production is thoroughly analyzed.