Charge-photothermal-catalysis synergy in ZnCdS/Co2SnO4 for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and benzyl alcohol oxidation

doi:10.1016/S1872-2067(26)65183-2

Abstract

Abstract:

The development of efficient bifunctional photocatalysts for simultaneous H₂ evolution and organic oxidation is impeded by the difficulty in synergizing charge separation, broad-spectrum light harvesting, and surface reaction kinetics. This challenge is addressed through the construction of a ZnCdS/Co₂SnO₄ S-scheme heterojunction, in which Co₂SnO₄ is engineered as a triple-function module. This module not only establishes an interfacial electric field for directed S-scheme charge transfer, preserving high-potential carriers, but also acts as a potent photothermal agent, converting near-infrared light into localized heat to reduce the apparent activation energy for H₂ evolution. Furthermore, its spinel surface provides intrinsic catalytic sites with a near-optimal hydrogen adsorption free energy. This triadic synergy yields exceptional concurrent production of H₂ (31.7 mmol g^-1 h^-1) and benzaldehyde (28.8 mmol g^-1 h^-1). Our work provides a paradigm of concerted light-charge-heat management for designing advanced, full-spectrum-responsive photocatalytic systems.

Key words: ZnCdS/Co₂SnO₄, S-scheme heterojunction, Photothermal catalysis, Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, Benzyl alcohol oxidation

Xiao Zhang, Yuxin Wang, Shuhan Sun, Xianqiang Xiong, Qin Li, Kangle Lv. Charge-photothermal-catalysis synergy in ZnCdS/Co₂SnO₄ for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and benzyl alcohol oxidation[J]. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2026, 90: 184-196.

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URL: https://www.cjcatal.com/EN/10.1016/S1872-2067(26)65183-2

https://www.cjcatal.com/EN/Y2026/V90/I11/184

Figures/Tables 5

Fig. 1. (a) Schematic of heterojunction preparation procedure. (b) XRD patterns of ZCS, CSO, and ZCS/CSO-x% heterojunction. TEM (c) and HRTEM (d) images of ZCS/CSO-7%. (e) Elemental mapping images of ZCS/CSO-7% composite. (f) N2 physisorption isotherms of ZCS, CSO, and ZCS/CSO-7% heterojunction.

Fig. 2. (a) Time-course profile of H2 production. (b) Production rate of H2 and BAD along with selectivity for BAD. (c) Probing the reaction pathway via in-situ DRIFTS during BA oxidation. (d) AQE across different wavelengths. (e) Benchmarking H2 evolution activity against reported ZCS composites (data in Table S2). (f) Testing the photocatalytic stability through recycling runs.

Fig. 3. Calculated work functions for CSO (a) and ZCS (b). Deduced energy band alignment (c) and charge density difference (d) for the ZCS/CSO-7% composite. High-resolution XPS and in-situ irradiated high-resolution XPS spectra of CSO, ZCS, and ZCS/CSO-7% samples: Cd 3d (e) and Sn 3d (f). 2D TA spectra (g,h) and kinetics decay traces (i) probed at 550 nm for ZCS and ZCS/CSO-7%, respectively.

Fig. 4. (a) Photocatalytic H2 generation curves at various temperatures. (b) Infrared thermal images comparing ZCS and the ZCS/CSO-7% composite under visible (Vis) and full-spectrum (Vis-NIR) irradiation during HER testing. (c) Recording the temperature evolution and distribution through thermal mapping under different light sources (Vis and Vis-NIR).

Fig. 5. (a) Presenting the DFT-calculated hydrogen adsorption free energy profile. (b) Transient photocurrent response curves of ZCS, CSO, and ZCS/CSO-7%. (c) Measuring surface wettability via contact angles. (d) EIS spectra. (e) Temperature dependence of H2 evolution rates and comparison of apparent activation energies for ZCS and ZCS/CSO-7%. (f) Illustrating the proposed synergistic photocatalytic mechanism.

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Charge-photothermal-catalysis synergy in ZnCdS/Co₂SnO₄ for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and benzyl alcohol oxidation

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