Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • The optimized CoS/ZIS-3 composite achieved a H2O2 production rate of 2693.39 μmol g−1 h−1 under visible light in isopropanol, which is 6.54 times higher than pristine ZIS and 18.08 times higher than CoS, demonstrating a significant performance enhancement for photocatalytic H2O2 synthesis. • • The S-scheme heterojunction and built-in electric field synergistically improved charge carrier separation and transport, addressing the bottleneck of rapid recombination in pristine ZIS and leading to a substantial increase in photocatalytic efficiency. • • The CoS/ZIS composite broadened the light absorption spectrum compared to ZIS, enabling more efficient utilization of visible light, which is critical for solar-driven applications. • • The produced H2O2 exhibited dual functionality: it effectively degraded organic pollutants and inhibited the growth of E. coli, showcasing its potential for environmental remediation and disinfection applications.
Abstract
Photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using water and O2 offers an economical, environmentally friendly, and sustainable route for H2O2 synthesis. However, current photocatalytic systems suffer from poor charge carrier transport, narrow light absorption, and insufficient active sites, leading to unsatisfactory H2O2 production efficiency. In this study, a CoS/ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) composite was constructed by in-situ growing CoS nanoclusters on ZIS via a solvothermal method for photocatalytic H2O2 production. The integration of CoS with ZIS broadened the light absorption spectrum. The optimized CoS/ZIS-3 composite exhibited an exceptional H2O2 production rate of 2693.39 μmol g−1 h−1 under visible light in isopropanol, surpassing pristine ZIS and CoS by factors of 6.54 and 18.08, respectively. The S-scheme heterojunction and built-in electric field synergistically enhanced the separation and transportation of photogenerated charge carriers, thereby improving photocatalytic efficiency. The H2O2 synthesis mechanism involves dual-channel oxygen reduction and water oxidation reactions mediated by CoS/ZIS. The produced H2O2 effectively degraded organic pollutants and inhibited the growth of E. coli. This study presents a promising green strategy for enhancing ZIS-based photocatalysts through constructing S-scheme heterojunctions for efficient H2O2 synthesis.
1. Introduction
Traditional industrial H2O2 production via the anthraquinone process is energy-intensive, generates significant waste, and requires large-scale infrastructure, making it economically and environmentally costly. Photocatalytic H2O2 production using water and oxygen offers a sustainable alternative, but current photocatalysts suffer from rapid charge recombination, limited light absorption, and insufficient active sites, resulting in low production rates. ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) is a promising photocatalyst due to its high surface area and catalytic sites, yet its standalone performance is constrained by poor charge carrier mobility and fast recombination.
This study addresses these bottlenecks by constructing a CoS/ZIS S-scheme heterojunction via in-situ growth of CoS nanoclusters on ZIS. The S-scheme heterojunction creates an interfacial built-in electric field that promotes efficient charge separation while preserving strong redox capabilities. The CoS/ZIS-3 composite achieves a remarkable H2O2 production rate of 2693.39 μmol g−1 h−1 under visible light, significantly outperforming pristine ZIS and CoS. This work provides a green and efficient strategy for enhancing ZIS-based photocatalysts, with potential applications in environmental remediation and disinfection.
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Enxiang Shang, Xuebing Li, Xuliu Shi, Xin Zhou, Jiwen Li, Yunjiu Cao, Shijie Li (2026). Novel CoS/ZnIn2S4 S-scheme heterojunction for efficient visible-light photocatalytic H2O2 production via dual-channel reactions in air. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-3894-9
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the underlying mechanism for the enhanced H2O2 production rate in the CoS/ZIS-3 composite?
The enhanced rate is attributed to the S-scheme heterojunction formed between CoS and ZIS, which creates a built-in electric field that facilitates efficient separation and transport of photogenerated charge carriers. This reduces recombination losses and preserves high redox potentials, enabling dual-channel reactions (oxygen reduction and water oxidation) for H2O2 production.
How does the CoS/ZIS-3 composite compare to other state-of-the-art photocatalysts for H2O2 production?
The CoS/ZIS-3 composite achieves a H2O2 production rate of 2693.39 μmol g−1 h−1 under visible light, which is significantly higher than many reported photocatalysts. For instance, it surpasses pristine ZIS by 6.54 times and CoS by 18.08 times, indicating its superior performance in terms of activity and efficiency.
What are the potential scalability challenges for industrial application of this photocatalyst?
Scalability challenges include the cost of raw materials (e.g., indium and cobalt), the need for efficient light harvesting in large-scale reactors, and the stability of the photocatalyst under prolonged operation. The solvothermal synthesis method may also require optimization for large-scale production. However, the high activity and use of visible light suggest potential for cost-effective solar-driven applications.
What is the stability and reusability of the CoS/ZIS-3 composite under repeated photocatalytic cycles?
The provided text does not specify long-term stability data. However, the S-scheme heterojunction design typically enhances photostability by preventing photocorrosion. Further studies would be needed to assess the composite's stability over multiple cycles and under various operational conditions.
How does the presence of isopropanol affect the H2O2 production rate?
Isopropanol acts as a sacrificial electron donor, consuming photogenerated holes and thereby enhancing electron availability for oxygen reduction to H2O2. This leads to a higher H2O2 production rate compared to systems without sacrificial agents. The reported rate of 2693.39 μmol g−1 h−1 was achieved in isopropanol, which may not reflect performance in pure water or air systems.
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