Constructing 2D MOF/In2S3 heterojunctions for efficient solar-driven H2O2 synthesis in pure water

Abstract

Existing photocatalysts face several challenges in producing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), including low photogenerated carrier separation, the need for sacrificial agents, and the difficulty of recovering powdered samples. In this work, we achieved high-efficiency H₂O₂ production in pure water by constructing Z-scheme heterojunctions of 2D MOF/In₂S₃ film, which enhanced the separation and transfer efficiency of photogenerated carriers and allowed for easy recycling. The Al/In15% composite exhibited a superior photocatalytic performance of 422.88 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ H₂O₂, which is 2.44 times higher than that of pure Al-TCPP. The superior photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the heterojunction creating a built-in electric field that facilitates space charge separation and transfer, effectively inhibiting photogenerated carrier recombination. The powdered samples were loaded onto a PTFE film, which allowed for easy recovery from the photocatalytic system and demonstrated excellent stability, providing an effective strategy for recovering powder-based photocatalysts. This study provides a new approach for solving the problems of poor carrier separation capacity and the challenging recovery of photocatalysts by constructing a Z-scheme heterojunction thin film, realizing the efficient use of solar energy to produce H₂O₂ in pure water.