Bioinspired 3D penetrating structured micro-mesoporous NiCoFe-LDH@ZnIn2S4 Z-scheme heterojunction for simultaneously photocatalytic H2 evolution coupled with benzylamine oxidation

Metal sulfides have attracted extensive attention in photocatalysis, but are limited by the high combination rate of photo-induced charges due to their bulky structures. Herein, a bioinspired three-dimensional (3D) penetrating structured micro-mesoporous Z-scheme heterojunction of NiCoFe-layered double hydroxides@ZnIn2S4 (NiCoFe-LDH@ZIS) with S vacancies was constructed. The NiCoFe-LDH@ZIS heterojunction was prepared by limiting the growth of ZIS through intercalating flower-like ZIS within dandelion-like LDH. The obtained NiCoFe-LDH@ZIS demonstrated a superior photocatalytic H2 evolution (PHE) rate (113.57 mmol g−1 h−1) and 97.78 % conversion rate of benzylamine oxidation, simultaneously. This superior photocatalytic performance benefits from the enhanced charge separation induced by the combination of 3D penetrating micro-mesoporous structure, the introduction of S vacancies, and Z-scheme heterojunction. This dimensional-matched 3D penetrating porous heterojunction affords more abundant active sites, accelerated separation of photogenerated carriers, and reduced activation energy of H2 evolution. This unique structure provides a feasible reference for bi-functional photocatalytic reactions.