Constructing a 3D BiWO/ZnInS direct Z-scheme heterostructure for improved photocatalytic CO reduction performance.

Developing efficient heterojunction photocatalysts with enhanced charge transfer and reduced recombination rates of photogenerated carriers is crucial for harnessing solar energy in the photocatalytic CO reduction into renewable fuels. This study employed electrostatic self-assembly techniques to construct a 3D BiWO/ZnInS direct Z-scheme heterojunctions. The unique 3D structure provided abundant active sites and facilitated CO adsorption. Moreover, the optimized BiWO/ZnInS composite demonstrated an impressive CH yield of 19.54 μmol g under 4 h of simulated sunlight irradiation, which was about 8.73 and 16.30-fold higher than pure ZnInS and BiWO. The observed enhancements in photocatalytic performance are attributed to forming a direct Z-scheme heterojunction, which effectively promotes charge transport and migration. This research introduces a novel strategy for constructing photocatalysts through the synergistic effect of morphological interface modifications.