Abstract
This research successfully synthesized SnO(2)@ZnIn(2)S(4) composites for photocatalytic tap water splitting using a rapid two-step microwave-assisted synthesis method. This study investigated the impact of incorporating a fixed quantity of SnO(2) nanoparticles and combining them with various materials to form composites, aiming to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen production. Additionally, different weights of SnO(2) nanoparticles were added to the ZnIn(2)S(4) reaction precursor to prepare SnO(2)@ZnIn(2)S(4) composites for photocatalytic hydrogen production. Notably, the photocatalytic efficiency of SnO(2)@ZnIn(2)S(4) composites is substantially higher than that of pure SnO(2) nanoparticles and ZnIn(2)S(4) nanosheets: 17.9-fold and 6.3-fold, respectively. The enhancement is credited to the successful use of visible light and the facilitation of electron transfer across the heterojunction, leading to the efficient dissociation of electron-hole pairs. Additionally, evaluations of recyclability demonstrated the remarkable longevity of SnO(2)@ZnIn(2)S(4) composites, maintaining high levels of photocatalytic hydrogen production over eight cycles without significant efficiency loss, indicating their impressive durability. This investigation presents a promising strategy for crafting and producing environmentally sustainable SnO(2)@ZnIn(2)S(4) composites with prospective implementations in photocatalytic hydrogen generation.