In-situ loading of ZnIn2S4 onto Ni-MOF-74 to construct type Ⅱ heterojunction for improving photocatalytic hydrogen production

ZnIn 2 S 4 is a semiconductor photocatalyst with a suitable band gap for renewable energy production. However, its efficiency in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is limited by the rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. In this study, a ZnIn 2 S 4 @Ni-MOF-74 heterojunction nanocomposite was designed and synthesized via an in-situ hydrothermal growth method. This unique structure promotes intimate interfacial contact between the two materials and ensures a well-aligned band structure. The optimized ZnIn 2 S 4 @Ni-MOF-74 composite achieves a photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 1823.7 μmol·g −1 ·h −1 without the use of precious metal cocatalysts, significantly surpassing that of pristine ZnIn 2 S 4 . Cycling tests demonstrated that the photocatalyst maintains stable performance over 12 consecutive cycles without significant degradation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the well-matched band alignment and intimate interfacial contact, which collectively facilitate the formation of a type-II heterojunction structure, thereby promoting efficient charge separation and migration.