New method of preparing solid solution ZnS-CuInS₂ and its activity of photocatalytic splitting water for hydrogen production

Synthesis of solid solution ZnS-CuInS₂ has been demonstrated. The crystallinity and stability of catalysts were highly improved by the combination of two usual ways used for improving the crystallinity of materials-calcination at high temperature or hydrothermal, so was the activity of photocatalytic splitting water for hydrogen production. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET, SEM, XRF and UV-Vis. The results of the photocatalytic hydrogen production showed that the catalyst had the highest stability and activity by H₂S inflowing to the metal cation solution following with calcination and hydrothermal. After the catalyst was loaded with 3% Pt, the velocity of hydrogen production has been further improved to 127 μmol/h. And its apparent quantum efficiency at 420 nm was up to 4.43%.