Heterostructured In2O3/In2S3 hollow fibers enable efficient visible-light driven photocatalytic hydrogen production and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation

Solar light driven hydrogen production from water splitting and oxidation of biomass-derivatives is attractive for the conversion of solar energy to high value-added chemicals. The fabrication of heterostructure photocatalysts with matched band structure between two semiconductors is a promising approach for efficient photocatalysis. In this work, a novel In₂O₃/In₂S₃ heterostructured hollow fiber photocatalyst was successfully fabricated through two-step ion exchange and chemical bath deposition methods, where the In₂S₃ nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on the surface of In₂O₃ hollow fibers via strong interfacial interaction between the In₂O₃ (222) and In₂S₃ (220) facets. The photocatalyst was used for efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen production integrated with selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF). Compared with pristine In₂O₃ and In₂S₃, the optimal In₂O₃/In₂S₃ heterostructure exhibits an enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production rate (111.2 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹), HMF conversion efficiency (56%) and DFF selectivity (68%) under visible light irradiation. The experimental and theoretical investigations illustrate the phase interface between well matched In₂O₃ (222) and In₂S₃ (220) facets gives rise to facilitated photogenerated charge separation and transfer. This study presents the development of high-performance heterostructured photocatalysts for high efficient hydrogen production coupled with biomass oxidation.