Insights into photoluminescence property and photocatalytic activity of cubic and rhombohedral ZnIn2S4

Cubic and rhombohedral ZnIn2S4 were synthesized by thermal sulfidation of Zn–In mixed oxide precursor in H2S atmosphere at different temperatures. Cubic ZnIn2S4 was obtained when Zn–In mixed oxide precursor was sulfurized at 400 °C. With sulfidation temperature increasing from 400 to 800 °C, the crystal phase of ZnIn2S4 gradually turned from cubic to rhombohedral, which was demonstrated by different analysis techniques such as XRD, Raman, SEM, etc. UV–vis absorption spectra indicated that cubic ZnIn2S4 displayed better light absorption property than rhombohedral ZnIn2S4, with band gaps calculated to be 2.0 and 2.5 eV, respectively. However, under visible light irradiation, rhombohedral ZnIn2S4 photocatalyzed H2 evolution from aqueous sodium sulfite/sulfide solution efficiently, whereas cubic ZnIn2S4 was not active for this reaction. The photoluminescence property revealed the different dynamics of photogenerated carriers, which made a predominant contribution to the increasing photocatalytic performances of ZnIn2S4 with crystal phase turning from cubic to rhombohedral.

Graphical AbstractRhombohedral ZnIn2S4 showed a superior photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution than cubic ZnIn2S4, which was proved to be related with their different dynamics of photogenerated carriers.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Cubic and rhombohedral ZnIn2S4 were synthesized by thermal sulfidation.
► Rhombohedral ZnIn2S4 could photocatalyze H2 evolution efficiently.
► The dynamics of photogenerated carriers affected the photocatalytic activity.