Recent advances in the design and fabrication of ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction into value-added chemicals

With the intensification of global energy crisis and environmental pollution problems, photocatalytic CO₂ reduction technology, which is a sustainable method for carbon capture and conversion, has received widespread attention. ZnIn₂S₄, as a promising semiconductor photocatalyst with a unique layered structure, excellent visible light response, high stability, excellent photoelectric performance, and high light capture capability, exhibits excellent performance in the field of photocatalytic CO₂ reduction. This review focuses on the design and fabrication of ZnIn₂S₄-based photocatalysts and their recent progress in the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ into value-added chemicals. Various preparation methods, such as the hydrothermal method, microwave-assisted method, in situ deposition method, solvothermal method, and elemental doping method, are described in detail for the preparation of ZnIn₂S₄-based photocatalysts. Moreover, the modification strategies, such as elemental doping, core–shell construction, heterojunction construction, and defect engineering, are used for ZnIn₂S₄-based photocatalysts to significantly enhance their photogenerated charge separation efficiency and photocatalytic performance. This review also provides some common in situ characterization methods and density functional theory calculations for ZnIn₂S₄-based photocatalysts for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction. However, some challenges such as improving the photocatalytic efficiency and understanding the reaction mechanism still persists. In the end, future prospects for ZnIn₂S₄-based photocatalysts are addressed. This review aims to provide some insights into the rational design of efficient photocatalysts for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction into value-added chemicals, which will help achieve the goal of carbon neutrality as soon as possible.