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A library of polytypic copper-based quaternary sulfide nanocrystals enables efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion

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  • Liang Wu

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Qian Wang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Tao-Tao Zhuang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Guo-Zhen Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Yi Li

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Hui-Hui Li

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Feng-Jia Fan

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Shu-Hong Yu

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

Abstract

Designing polytypic homojunction is an efficient way to regulate photogenerated electrons and holes, thereafter bringing desired physical and chemical properties and being attractive photocatalysts for solar-to-hydrogen conversion. However, the high-yield and controllable synthesis of well-defined polytypes especially for multinary chalcogenide - the fundamental factor favoring highly efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion - has yet to be achieved. Here, we report a general colloidal method to construct a library of polytypic copper-based quaternary sulfide nanocrystals, including Cu2ZnSnS4, Cu2CdSnS4, Cu2CoSnS4, Cu2MnSnS4, Cu2FeSnS4, Cu3InSnS5 and Cu3GaSnS5, which can be synthesized by selective epitaxial growth of kesterite phase on wurtzite structure. Besides, this colloidal method allows the precise controlling of the homojunction number corresponding to the photocatalytic performance. The single-homojunction and double-homojunction polytypic Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystal photocatalysts show 2.8-fold and 3.9-fold improvement in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rates relative to the kesterite nanocrystals, respectively. This homojunction existed in the polytypic structure opens another way to engineer photocatalysts.

Suggested Citation

  • Liang Wu & Qian Wang & Tao-Tao Zhuang & Guo-Zhen Zhang & Yi Li & Hui-Hui Li & Feng-Jia Fan & Shu-Hong Yu, 2022. "A library of polytypic copper-based quaternary sulfide nanocrystals enables efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-33065-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33065-7
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