Significantly Raised Visible-Light Photocatalytic H2 Evolution on a 2D/2D ReS2/In2ZnS4 van der Waals Heterostructure

Owing to dwindling fossil fuels reserves, the development of alternative renewable energy sources is globally important. Photocatalytic hydrogen (H-2) evolution represents a practical and affordable alternative to convert sunlight into carbon-free H-2 fuel. Recently, 2D/2D van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) have attracted significant research attention for photocatalysis. Here, for the first time a ReS2/In2ZnS4 2D/2D vdWH synthesized via a facile physical mixing is reported. It exhibits a highly promoted photocatalytic H-2-evolution rate of 2515 mu mol h(-1) g(-1). Importantly, this exceeds that for pristine In2ZnS4 by about 22.66 times. This, therefore, makes ReS2/In2ZnS4 one of the most efficient In2ZnS4-based photocatalysts without noble-metal cocatalysts. Advanced characterizations and theoretical computations results show that interlayer electronic interaction within ReS2/In2ZnS4 vdWH and atomic-level S active centers along the edges of ReS2 NSs work collaboratively to result in the boosted light-induced H-2 evolution. Results will be of immediate benefit in the rational design and preparation of vdWHs for applications in catalysis/(opto)electronics.