A multidimensional In2S3–CuInS2 heterostructure for photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction

Abstract

We fabricated a multidimensional heterostructured In₂S₃–CuInS₂ photocatalyst to convert CO₂ to CO. The hybrid photocatalyst can be obtained by using an In-containing MOF as a precursor followed by sulfidation and ion exchange. Moreover, the multidimensional structure, a 2D nanosheet semiconductor distributed on 1D hollow nanotubes, inhibits the recombination of charge carriers, increases CO₂ adsorption and affords a large surface area promoting exposure of plentiful active sites. As a result, the as-synthesized optimal heterostructured In₂S₃–CuInS₂ display a excellent activity with the CO evolution rate of 19.00 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ over the under visible light irradiation, which is roughly four times higher than that of pristine In₂S₃. This work might pave the way for increasing the performance of metal sulphide photocatalysts by MOF-guided chemistry.