ZnS Derived from Hydrozincite Precursor: Impact of the Synthesis‐Solvothermal Temperature on the Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract This paper presents the synthesis of ZnS through solvothermal method using hydrozincite (Zn 5 (CO 3 ) 2 (OH) 6 ) as a precursor. Zinc sulfide (ZnS) was synthesized at four different temperatures: 80 °C, 100 °C, 140 °C, and 180 °C. All photocatalysts that were synthesized underwent characterization by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, N 2 adsorption‐desorption isotherms, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron analysis. The performance of H 2 using photocatalysis was evaluated by utilizing methanol as a sacrificial agent. At 80 °C solvothermal temperature, the ZnS exhibited maximum photoactivity, leading to an H 2 generation rate of 154.8 μmolh −1 . The high photo‐activity of ZnS synthesized at 80 °C was mainly influenced by the crystallite size, which has an essential influence on the specific surface area. The photocatalytic efficiency of the most active material decreased by approximately 17 % over four reaction cycles due to the photo corrosion effect, with ZnSO 3 being the primary by‐product formed after the reaction.