Synthesis of TiO2@ZnIn2S4 hollow nanospheres with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

In this work, we designed and prepared the novel TiO2@ZnIn2S4 nano-sized hollow structure via templating method assisted by hydrothermal synthesis process. Its unique hollow structure and type-II heterojunction between TiO2 hollow nanospheres and ZnIn2S4 nanosheet can provide enough interior cavities and transfer paths for the light absorption and charge quick migration. The crystal structure, morphology and charges separation property were measured. The characterization results show that the hollow-structured TiO2@ZnIn2S4 was successfully prepared, and the optimal sample exhibited excellent photocatalytic hydrogen generation compared with TiO2/ZnIn2S4 cluster exceeding by a factor of 1.1 under overall light irradiation. Specially, the detailed mechanism of the photocatalytic H2 evolution and charge carrier migration for the as-prepared TiO2@ZnIn2S4 hollow nanosphere was also studied.