ZnIn2S4 nanoflower-decorated TiO2 nanobelts for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Photocatalytic hydrogen production provides a sustainable approach for converting solar energy into clean, high-energy–density hydrogen fuel, addressing both energy shortages and environmental concerns. In this study, three-dimensional ZnIn 2 S 4 nanoarchitectures were grown in situ on TiO 2 nanobelts via a simple oil-bath method, forming core–shell ZnIn 2 S 4 @TiO 2 (ZIS@TO) heterojunctions, with TiO 2 nanobelts as the core and ZnIn 2 S 4 nanoflowers as the shell. The integrated heterojunction combines the structural advantages of both one-dimensional and two-dimensional components. The interface characteristics, band alignment, and charge carrier dynamics of the ZIS@TO were systematically investigated. The results show that the ZIS@TO heterojunction improves the dispersion of ZnIn 2 S 4 and TiO 2 , promoting more efficient interaction between photogenerated electrons and water. Furthermore, the heterojunction facilitates effective charge separation via an S-scheme transfer mechanism, leading to a significantly enhancement in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity.