Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2026, Vol. 80: 159-173.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(25)64879-0

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S-scheme heterojunctions of metal-doped ZnIn2S4/TpPa-1: Regulating H adsorption/desorption and internal electric field for boosted dual-functional photocatalysis

Shaodan Wanga, Heng Yangb, Lijun Xuea, Jianjun Zhangc,*(), Shuxin Ouyanga, Lili Wena,*()   

  1. aEngineering Research Center of Photoenergy Utilization for Pollution Control and Carbon Reduction, Ministry of Education; College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, China
    bCollege of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, Hubei, China
    cLaboratory of Solar Fuel, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, Hubei, China
  • Received:2025-07-29 Accepted:2025-09-05 Online:2026-01-05 Published:2026-01-05
  • Contact: Jianjun Zhang, Lili Wen
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(22171097);National Natural Science Foundation of China(21771072);Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(CCNU24JCPT019);fund of the Key Laboratory of Catalysis and Energy Materials Chemistry of Ministry of Education & Hubei Key Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials Science(CHCL21001);Teaching Research Project of Central China Normal University(2025037)

Abstract:

Cooperative coupling of photocatalytic hydrogen generation with oxidative organic synthesis is promising in simultaneously producing sustainable energy and value-added chemicals. However, the photocatalytic activity is constrained by restricted redox potentials and insufficient photocarrier separation and transfer. Herein, we construct S-scheme heterojunctions based on metal-doped ZnIn2S4 and covalent organic frameworks, denoted as M-ZIS/TpPa-1 (M = Ni or Mo). Theoretical calculations demonstrated that Mo-ZIS possess optimum H adsorption Gibbs free energies, deeper downshift of sulfur p-band center and higher integrated crystal orbital Hamilton population (ICOHP) value than Ni-ZIS and ZIS to optimize H adsorption/desorption dynamics. Besides, metal-doping reasonably enhanced the interfacial charge transfer in heterostructures, identifying the enlarged internal electric field (IEF) in Mo-ZIS/TpPa-1 than Ni-ZIS/TpPa-1 and ZIS/TpPa-1. Moreover, experimental explorations of photoelectrochemical measurements, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, in-situ irradiated X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance verified the facilitated photocarrier separation and migration in metal-doped S-scheme heterojunctions. Ultimately, Mo0.01-ZIS/TpPa-1 exhibited visible-light driven H2 evolution rate of 1648 μmol g−1 h−1 and N-benzylidenebenzylamine formation rate of 1812 μmol g−1 h−1, better than Ni0.048-ZIS/TpPa-1, and superior to parent ZIS/TpPa-1. This work might provide insights into the modulation of H adsorption/desorption behavior and IEF within S-scheme heterostructures via rational metal-doping strategy for efficient dual-functional photocatalysis.

Key words: Covalent organic frameworks, Metal-doped ZnIn2S4, S-scheme heterojunction, H adsorption/desorption, Internal electric field, Dual-functional photocatalysis