Solvothermal synthesis ZnS–In2S3–Ag2S solid solution coupled with TiO2−xSx nanotubes film for photocatalytic hydrogen production

ZnS–In2S3–Ag2S solid solution coupled with TiO2-xSx nanotubes film catalyst has been successfully prepared by a two-step process of anodization and solvothermal methods for the first time. The as-prepared photo-catalysts are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–Vis DRS), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The results show that the ZnS–In2S3–Ag2S solid solution are deposited on the surface of TiO2NTs nanotubes under the solvothermal conditions, by which S atoms are incorporated into the lattice of TiO2 through substituting the sites of oxygen atoms. Such ZnS–In2S3–Ag2S@TiO2-xSx nanotubes composite presents the enhanced absorption in visible region and the efficient transfer of photoelectron between the solid solution and TiO2-xSx nanotubes, which determines the excellent photocatalytic activity for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from aqueous solutions containing the sacrificial reagents of Na2S and Na2SO3 under 500 W Xe lamp irradiation.

► ZnS-In2S3-Ag2S coupled with TiO2-xSx nanotubes has been successfully prepared.
► ZnS-In2S3-Ag2S enables TiO2NTs to form TiO2-xSxnanotubes by solvothermal treatment.
► Ag doping suppresses the oxidation of solid solution on the surface of TiO2NTs.
► ZnS-In2S3-Ag2S@TiO2NTs shows an excellent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity.