One-step synthesis of 2D/2D-3D NiS/Zn3In2S6 hierarchical structure toward solar-to-chemical energy transformation of biomass-relevant alcohols

Abstract To realize highly efficient production of H2 and conversion of biomass-relevant alcohols are hot spots in energy and environmental science. Herein, we have fabricated noble metal-free 2D/2D-3D NiS/Zn3In2S6 hierarchical architecture by one-step method for efficiently visible-light-driven dehydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into H2 and 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) with high selectivity. The separation of photoexcited electrons (e−) and holes (h+) can be promoted in this dual-function photocatalysis process. More importantly, both e− and h+ are involved in the desired conversions, i.e. the generation of H2 and the production of value-added chemicals, respectively. The conversion was favored not only by thermodynamics, but also kinetics. The H2-evolution rate in HMF solution was up to 1090.9 times than in water. Additionally, the DFF selectivity could reach up to 94.1 %. Such designed dual-function photocatalytic system could be more feasible and practical in the perspective of the sustainable and green development.