Correspondence to: Yiyao Cao, Department of Occupational Health and Radiological Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, Zhejiang, China. Email: [email protected]; Qiugen Zhang, Yu Xie, Xibao Li, College of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang, 330063, Jiangxi, China. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Received: 17 August 2025 | Revised: 4 December 2025 | Accepted: 4 December 2025
Abstract
Addressing the environmental crisis stemming from fossil fuel overexploitation necessitates the development of efficient photocatalysts for clean hydrogen production. Herein, a novel ZnIn2S4/CoAl2O4 (ZIS/CAO) p-n junction photocatalyst was successfully fabricated by coating ZIS onto CAO nanosheets via a facile oil bath method. The exceptional light absorption capacity and electrical conductivity of CAO synergistically enhance the photocatalytic activity of ZIS. The established p-n junction facilitates efficient electron transfer from CAO to ZIS, significantly suppressing the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Comprehensive characterization, including optical analyses, electrochemical measurements, in situ XPS, in situ KPFM, and DFT calculations, unequivocally verified this interfacial charge transfer mechanism. The optimized ZIS/CAO composite exhibited a remarkable photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of 3,260 μmol·g-1·h-1 (5.87 times higher than ZIS) as well as excellent stability. This work presents a promising strategy for constructing highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution systems.
Sun X, Wang Y, Cao Y, Wan Y, Zhang Q, Ma Y, Xie Y, Li X. ZnIn2S4/CoAl2O4 p-n junction for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Energy Mater 2026;6:[Accept]. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/energymater.2025.131
