Effects of surfactants on visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activities of AgInZn7S9 nanorods

- AgInZn7S9 nanorods with a diameter of about 7 nm was synthesized through a modified high-temperature pyrolysis method.
- Hydrophobic AgInZn7S9 were transfered into water by surfactants with different charge types for photocatalytic H2 evolution.
- Negatively charged surfactants inserted into the hydrophobic layer of AgInZn7S9 can enrich protons in water via electrostatic interactions around photocatalysts and thus greatly improve H2 evolution rate.
- The improved H2 evolution performances of AgInZn7S9 modified with negatively charged surfactants are universal in aqueous systems with different kinds of hole scavengers.