Indium-based ternary metal sulfide for photocatalytic CO2 reduction application

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction technology appears one of the most prospective paths because it directly utilizes green and renewable solar energy to efficiently convert CO2 into hydrocarbon fuels and useful chemical products, which will dissipate global warming and mitigate universal problems of energy shortage simultaneously. Metal sulfide based on appropriate band structures and excellent photoresponsivity range has recently attracted attention in the basic research of CO2 photoconversion in laboratory. In particular, In-based ternary metal sulfide present great potential in dealing with photo corrosion and carrier recombination problems. This review detailedly introduced the main structural characteristics and common synthesis methods of In-based ternary metal sulfide. Additionally, a series of modification methods of In-based ternary metal sulfide and recent developments of activity enhancing techniques in photocatalytic CO2 conversion were summarized and analyzed as the central content. Subsequently, we systematically demonstrated and discussed the mechanism of activity enhancement. Finally, we highlighted the current limitations, challenges and development needs and directions of In-based ternary metal sulfide for photocatalytic CO2 conversion.