In-situ construction NiS, In(OH)3 and InOOH on the ZnIn2S4 nanosheet for synergistically boosting the photocatalytic H2 evolution

A quaternary nanoflower photocatalyst, NiS/In(OH)3/InOOH/ZnIn2S4, 3 /InOOH/ZnIn 2 S 4 , with compact heterojunction, is synthesized through a two-step solvothermal method. NiS, In(OH)3 3 and InOOH are generated in situ on the surface of ZnIn2S4 2 S 4 nanosheets. Namely, the S of NiS, the In of In(OH)3 3 and InOOH are directly derived from ZnIn2S4. 2 S 4 . In addition, the relative amount of In(OH)3 3 and InOOH in the NiS/In(OH)3/InOOH/ZnIn2S4 3 /InOOH/ZnIn 2 S 4 composite can be controlled by adjusting the dosage of Ni2+ 2+ during the second solvothermal process. The average H2 2 evolution rate of NiS-ZIS-1 is 1911 mu mol center dot g-- 1 center dot h- 1 , approximately 5.1, 2.4, 3.5 times higher than that of ZIS, In(OH)3/InOOH/ 3 /InOOH/ ZnIn2S4, 2 S 4 , and NiS/ZnIn2S4, 2 S 4 , respectively. Structural characterizations, photoelectric property tests, theoretical calculations, and in-situ XPS analyses reveal that the excellent visible light photocatalytic H2 2 production property of the NiS/In(OH)3/InOOH/ZnIn2S4 3 /InOOH/ZnIn 2 S 4 composite is due to the synergistic interaction of NiS, In(OH)3 3 and InOOH. Namely, the in-situ construction of NiS, In(OH)3 3 and InOOH on the ZnIn2S4 2 S 4 nanosheets can accelerate the electrons migration and improve the charge carriers' separation efficiency. Meanwhile, the NiS, In(OH)3 3 and InOOH provide more active sites for the reduction of H+ + reduction to H2. 2 .