Synergistic effect of Z-scheme heterojunction and Cu-doping in ZnIn2S4/UiO-66-NH2 for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Photocatalytic water splitting is a highly promising approach for sustainable hydrogen production. However, a critical challenge lies in developing photocatalysts that simultaneously achieve efficient charge separation and abundant catalytic active sites. Herein, a novel heterojunction system composed of ZnIn 2 S 4 integrated with copper-modified UiO-66-NH 2 (ZnIn 2 S 4 /Cu-UiO-66-NH 2 ) is developed as an efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen production. The optimal ZnIn 2 S 4 /Cu-UiO-66-NH 2 exhibits a hydrogen evolution rate of 630.25 μmol g −1 h −1 under visible-light irradiation, demonstrating a remarkable 114-fold enhancement compared to pristine UiO-66-NH 2 . The excellent photocatalytic performance originates from the novel Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism between ZnIn 2 S 4 and Cu-UiO-66-NH 2 , which facilitates efficient charge separation while maintaining strong redox capabilities. Furthermore, the incorporated Cu species serve as highly efficient active sites for hydrogen evolution. This work provides a rational design strategy for constructing Z-scheme heterojunctions, advancing the development of efficient artificial photosynthesis systems for sustainable energy applications.