Leaf-Architecture and Function-Mimicked Ensemble of Hierarchical Ag Nanowires/Ti3C2Tx MXene@Sulfur-Vacancy Rich ZnIn2S4 Nanosheet Arrays for Enhanced Photoredox Catalysis

In pursuing efficient photocatalytic systems, nature-inspired photocatalysis has emerged as a promising strategy to optimize charge transfer and surface reactions. Inspired by the structure and function of plant leaves, a leaf-like hierarchical heterostructure is constructed. ZnIn 2 S 4 nanosheet arrays are anchored on the integrated Ag nanowires network with Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene support, during which process sulfur vacancies (V S ) are formed due to the anti-strong metal-support interaction. The ZnIn 2 S 4 nanosheet arrays supported by Ti 3 C 2 T x serve as mesophyll to absorb photons and convert solar-to-chemicals, the Ag nanowires embedded in the interface of ZnIn 2 S 4 and Ti 3 C 2 T x function as veins to shuttle the charge carriers for the surface redox reactions, and the V S on ZnIn 2 S 4 resemble stomata to facilitate the adsorption of reactants. Furthermore, the formed V S are able to reduce the thermodynamic barriers in photocatalytic reactions. The synergistic effect of these functional components enables hydrogenation of several nitroaromatic compounds, and exhibits a photocatalytic H 2 evolution rate of 1119.4 µmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ under visible-light irradiation, which is ≈7.9 times as high as that of pure ZnIn 2 S 4 . This study highlights the pivotal role of functional design inspired by nature in advancing solar-to-chemical conversion and paves the way for the development of next-generation photocatalysts in green chemistry and H 2 energy applications.