Design and fabrication of hollow structured Cu2MoS4/ZnIn2S4 nanocubes with significant enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance

The unique architecture is very significant for photocatalysts to achieve high photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, hollow Cu₂MoS₄/ZnIn₂S₄ heterostructural nanocubes with intimate-contact interface have been prepared for the first time via a self-template way, which can promote the photocatalysis hydrogen evolution. First, novel hollow structured Cu₂MoS₄ nanocubes were successfully synthesized using Cu₂O as a precursor, then the ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheets were in-situ grew on the surface of hollow Cu₂MoS₄ nanocubes. The unique hollow heterostructures have markedly enhanced photocatalytic efficiency, and 15 wt% Cu₂MoS₄/ZnIn₂S₄ sample exhibits the highest hydrogen production rate of 8103 μmol·h^?1·g^?1, which is approximately four times higher than pure ZnIn₂S₄. The improved photocatalytic performance is mainly attributed to the following two points: (1) the hollow nanocube structure can provide rich active sites and increase light absorption; (2) forming a built-in electric field is conducive to transfer the holes generated by ZnIn₂S₄ to Cu₂MoS₄, which can effectively promote charge separation. This work may provide insights for the design of hollow architecture cage materials for high photocatalytic performance.