Synthesis of TiO 2 @ZnIn 2 S 4 hollow nanospheres with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

In this work, we designed and prepared the novel TiO 2 @ZnIn 2 S 4 nano-sized hollow structure via templating method assisted by hydrothermal synthesis process. Its unique hollow structure and type-II heterojunction between TiO 2 hollow nanospheres and ZnIn 2 S 4 nanosheet can provide enough interior cavities and transfer paths for the light absorption and charge quick migration. The crystal structure, morphology and charges separation property were measured. The characterization results show that the hollow-structured TiO 2 @ZnIn 2 S 4 was successfully prepared, and the optimal sample exhibited excellent photocatalytic hydrogen generation compared with TiO 2 /ZnIn 2 S 4 cluster exceeding by a factor of 1.1 under overall light irradiation. Specially, the detailed mechanism of the photocatalytic H 2 evolution and charge carrier migration for the as-prepared TiO 2 @ZnIn 2 S 4 hollow nanosphere was also studied.