Enhanced photogenerated carrier separation in CdS quantum dot sensitized ZnFe2O4/ZnIn2S4 nanosheet stereoscopic films for exceptional visible light photocatalytic H2 evolution performance

CdS quantum dot sensitized ZnFe2O4/ZnIn2S4 nanosheet stereoscopic films were synthesized through two sequential solvothermal processes and the ionic layer adsorption-reaction method. The hydrophilic ZnIn2S4 nanosheet stereoscopic film was pre-prepared to act as a suitable host material, and then ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles and CdS quantum dots were uniformly decorated on the surface of the ZnIn2S4 nanosheet stereoscopic film to form a ternary heterostructure stereoscopic film. The band structure difference in the ternary heterostructure can promote the spatial separation and transport efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers. Meanwhile, the composite stereoscopic film has significant structural advantages and can provide a large amount of reaction active sites and outstanding visible light utilization. The superhydrophilic surface contributes to interface contact of catalyst/solution and gas detachment. These positive factors led to a significantly enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution activity of the CdS/ZnFe2O4/ZnIn2S4 ternary heterostructure film in comparison with the pristine ZnIn2S4 and binary heterostructure film photocatalysts. The optimized CdS/ZnFe2O4/ZnIn2S4 ternary heterostructure film demonstrates the highest H2 production rate of 79.0 μmol h−1, which surpasses that of ZnIn2S4 by more than 3.2 times. This synthesis strategy can be applicable for the facile synthesis of other visible-light-driven composite film catalysts.