Incorporating ReS ₂ Nanosheet into ZnIn ₂ S ₄ Nanoflower as Synergistic Z‐Scheme Photocatalyst for Highly Effective and Stable Visible‐Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution and Degradation

Abstract

Abstract Inspired by natural photosynthesis, the visible‐light‐driven Z‐scheme system is very effective and promising for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen production and pollutant degradation. Here, a synergistic Z‐scheme photocatalyst is constructed by coupling ReS 2 nanosheet and ZnIn 2 S 4 nanoflower and the experimental evidence for this direct Z‐scheme heterostructure is provided by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance. Consequently, such a unique nanostructure makes this Z‐scheme heterostructure exhibit 23.7 times higher photocatalytic hydrogen production than that of ZnIn 2 S 4 nanoflower. Moreover, the ZnIn 2 S 4 /ReS 2 photocatalyst is also very stable for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, almost without activity decay even storing for two weeks. Besides, this Z‐scheme heterostructure also exhibits superior photocatalytic degradation rates of methylene blue (1.7 × 10 −2 min −1 ) and mitoxantrone (4.2 × 10 −3 min −1 ) than that of ZnIn 2 S 4 photocatalyst. The ultraviolet–visible absorption spectra, transient photocurrent spectra, open‐circuit potential measurement, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveal that the superior photocatalytic performance of ZnIn 2 S 4 /ReS 2 heterostructure is mostly attributed to its broad and strong visible‐light absorption, effective separation of charge carrier, and improved redox ability. This work provides a promising nanostructure design of a visible‐light‐driven Z‐scheme heterostructure to simultaneously promote photocatalytic reduction and oxidation activity.