Ni<sub>1−</sub><i><sub>x</sub></i>Co<i><sub>x</sub></i>Se<sub>2</sub>C/ZnIn<sub>2</sub>S<sub>4</sub> Hybrid Nanocages with Strong 2D/2D Hetero‐Interface Interaction Enable Efficient H<sub>2</sub>‐Releasing Photocatalysis
Yuguang Chao, Peng Zhou, Jianping Lai, Weiyu Zhang, Huawei Yang, Shiyu Lu, Hui Chen, Kun Yin, Menggang Li, Tao Lu, Changshuai Shang, Meiping Tong, Shaojun Guo
Abstract
Abstract Designing a semiconductor‐based heterostructure photocatalyst for achieving the efficient separation of photogenerated electron‐hole pairs is highly important for enhancing H 2 releasing photocatalysis. Here, a new class of Ni 1− x Co x Se 2 –C/ZnIn 2 S 4 hierarchical nanocages with abundant and compact ZnIn 2 S 4 nanosheets/Ni 1− x Co x Se 2 C nanosheets 2D/2D hetero–interfaces, is designed and synthesized. The constructed heterostructure photocatalyst exposes rich hetero‐junctions, supplying the broad and short transfer paths for charge carriers. The close contacts of these two kinds of nanosheets induce a strong interaction between ZnIn 2 S 4 and Ni 1− x Co x Se 2 C, improving the separation and transfer of photo‐generated electron‐hole pairs. As a consequence, the distinctive Ni 1− x Co x Se 2 C/ZnIn 2 S 4 hierarchical nanocages without using additional noble‐metal cocatalysts, display remarkable H 2 ‐relaesing photocatalytic activity with a rate of 5.10 mmol g −1 h −1 under visible light irradiation, which is 6.2 and 30 times higher than those of fresh ZnIn 2 S 4 nanosheets and bare Ni 1− x Co x Se 2 C nanocages, respectively. Spectroscopic characterizations and theory calculations reveal that the strong interaction between ZnIn 2 S 4 and Ni 1− x Co x Se 2 C 2D/2D hetero‐interfaces can powerfully promote the separation of photo‐generated charge carriers and the electrons transfer from ZnIn 2 S 4 to Ni 1− x Co x Se 2 C.