Engineering bidirectional charge transport channels boosts solar driven sulfion oxidation upgrading coupled with hydrogen production

Abstract

The inefficient charge separation and transport remains a bottleneck in photocatalysis. While various strategies have been explored to improve this process, most focus on single-sided modulation either the conduction-band electrons or valence-band holes, limiting overall improvement. Herein, an innovative coupling modification approach is adopted where Ru and α-Fe₂O₃ (FO) nanoparticles are integrated onto ZnIn₂S₄ (ZIS) to prepare Ru/ZnIn₂S₄/α-Fe₂O₃, and constructs dual charge transfer pathways for electrons and holes. This bidirectional channel configuration significantly enhances carrier separation and accumulation, enabling Ru as an electron (e⁻) mediator and FO as a hole (h⁺) extraction facilitator, driving simultaneous redox reactions, and enabling substantial improvement in the photocatalytic sulfur oxidation process coupled with hydrogen generation. This approach enhances interface charge separation/spatial accumulation and provides valuable guidance for designing and developing advanced high-efficiency photocatalytic systems.