A review: Synthesis, modification and photocatalytic applications of ZnIn2S4

Solar energy is an ideal energy source for solving energy shortages and serious environmental problems. In the past few decades, photocatalytic technology which uses solar energy to deal with the above problems has caused great interest. ZnIn2S4, as a layered ternary metal chalcogenide compound, has a series of advantages such as the wide light absorption range and adjustable bandgap. It has been applied in the different fields of photocatalysis in recent years. This review introduced the crystal structures and growth mechanism of ZnIn2S4 and summarized the preparation methods of ZnIn2S4. Also, the promoted strategies of ZnIn2S4 based photocatalytic system and their applications in the pollutant removal, hydrogen evolution, reduction of CO2, nitrogen fixation, and chemical synthesis was summarized. Furthermore, the challenges and development directions of the current ZnIn2S4 based photocatalytic system were proposed. It is hoped that this review will help researchers design a better ZnIn2S4 based photocatalytic system.