Construction of ZrC@ZnIn2S4 core–shell heterostructures for boosted near-infrared-light driven photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H2 evolution

The development of an efficient photocatalyst to make full use of sunlight, especially near-infrared light (NIR), remains a significant challenge in the field of photocatalysis research. Herein, an efficient photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H2 production system was constructed over the ZrC@ZnIn2S4 (ZrC@ZIS) core–shell heterostructure by a simple water bath method for realizing the photocatalytic H2 production rate of reached 32.87 μmol g-1h−1 and photothermal conversion efficiency of 43.54% under NIR irradiation (λ > 800 nm). Thermodynamically, the photothermal effect produced by the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of metallic ZrC particles reduces the activation energy of the reaction and makes the reaction going forward in the ZrC@ZIS composite system. Kinetically, the formation of Schottky junction accelerates the photo-generated carrier transfer and separation and facilitates the photocatalytic water splitting into H2 production. This study provides a feasible idea for NIR-driven photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H2 evolution though the efficient utilization of solar energy.