Significantly Raised Visible‐Light Photocatalytic H<sub>2</sub> Evolution on a 2D/2D ReS<sub>2</sub>/In<sub>2</sub>ZnS<sub>4</sub> van der Waals Heterostructure
Jingrun Ran, Hongping Zhang, Jiangtao Qu, Jieqiong Shan, Kenneth Davey, Julie M. Cairney, Liqiang Jing, Shi‐Zhang Qiao
Abstract
Abstract 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 ReS 2 /In 2 ZnS 4 2D/2D vdWH synthesized via a facile physical mixing is reported. It exhibits a highly promoted photocatalytic H 2 ‐evolution rate of 2515 µmol h −1 g −1 . Importantly, this exceeds that for pristine In 2 ZnS 4 by about 22.66 times. This, therefore, makes ReS 2 /In 2 ZnS 4 one of the most efficient In 2 ZnS 4 ‐based photocatalysts without noble‐metal cocatalysts. Advanced characterizations and theoretical computations results show that interlayer electronic interaction within ReS 2 /In 2 ZnS 4 vdWH and atomic‐level S active centers along the edges of ReS 2 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.