Sulfide-Based Photocatalysts Using Visible Light, with Special Focus on In2S3, SnS2 and ZnIn2S4

Abstract

Sulfides are frequently used as photocatalysts, since they absorb visible light better than many oxides. They have the disadvantage of being more easily photocorroded. This occurs mostly in oxidizing conditions; therefore, they are commonly used instead in reduction processes, such as CO2 reduction to fuels or H2 production. Here a summary will be presented of a number of sulfides used in several photocatalytic processes; where appropriate, some recent reviews will be presented of their behaviour. Results obtained in recent years by our group using some octahedral sulfides will be shown, showing how to determine their wavelength-dependent photocatalytic activities, checking their mechanisms in some cases, and verifying how they can be modified to extend their wavelength range of activity. It will be shown here as well how using photocatalytic or photoelectrochemical setups, by combining some enzymes with these sulfides, allows achieving the photo-splitting of water into H2 and O2, thus constituting a scheme of artificial photosynthesis.

A Comprehensive Review on Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Carbon Dioxide Photoreduction

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Solar Driven 15.7% Hydrogen Conversion by Harmony of Light Harvesting, Electron Transporting Bridge, and S‐Defection in a Self‐Assembled Microscale CuS/rGO/CP Photoanode

“…Moreover, the band position of CuS is located such that photogenerated electrons participate in photocorrosion by reducing themselves, rather than participating in the hydrogen generation reaction. [ 13 ] In conclusion, it is unreasonable to apply CuS to the PEC‐HER system as a photocathode.…”

2D Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets based on Pd‐TCPP as Photocatalysts for Highly Improved Hydrogen Evolution

“…[4] Therefore, photocatalysts often contain so-called co-catalysts that significantly accelerate the H 2 production rate. [5] In classic photocatalysis, semiconductor substrates such as metal oxides, [6] nitrides, [7] or sulfides, [8] are used for light harvesting, and co-catalytic elements (often noble metals) are attached on the semiconductor surface. In a molecular concept usually an organic harvesting unit is combined with a suitable electronically connected charge transfer center.…”