Construction of ZnIn₂S₄/ZnO heterostructures with enhanced photocatalytic decomposition and hydrogen evolution under blue LED irradiation

The novel ZnIn₂S₄/ZnO heterostructures can prepare by combining a facile hydrothermal and wet chemical methods. Various microscale and nanoscale characterization techniques analyzed the surface topography, structural and optical properties of the ZnIn₂S₄/ZnO heterostructures. The addition amount of ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheets plays an essential role in controlling the optical properties of ZnIn₂S₄/ZnO heterostructures. ZnIn₂S₄/ZnO heterostructures can improve charge carriers separation and specific surface area for enhancing the photocatalytic decomposition of the 4-aminobenzoic acid solution and hydrogen evolution under blue LED irradiation. Furthermore, ZnIn₂S₄/ZnO heterostructures also revealed high photocatalytic stability and reusability for long-term reaction processes. Therefore, ZnIn₂S₄/ZnO heterostructures can be used as efficient visible-light-induced photocatalysts for the practical applications in water splitting and wastewater treatment.