Local polarization redistribution in ZnInS for the enhancing synergetic piezo-photocatalytic overall water splitting.

Piezo-photocatalytic water (deuterium oxide) decomposition is a promising strategy for realizing renewable energy, but the manipulation of the polar center remains a big challenge. This study uses a simple low-temperature hydrothermal process to successfully manufacture ZnInS (m = 1-3) (ZnInS, ZnInS and ZnInS). Incorporating both experimental and theoretical analyses, the structural contraction and local polarization of the Zn-S bond in ZnInS enhance the piezoelectric response and surface charge accumulation, which facilitate charge transfer and reduce the activation energy of water. Remarkably, ZnInS exhibits excellent piezoelectric photocatalytic total water splitting performance (H/O: 4284.72/1967.00 μmol gh), which is 1.77 times that of photocatalytic performance. Moreover, a significant enhancement in DO splitting performance can be obtained for the optimized ZnInS. Our work offers valuable insights into the disclosure of local polarization in catalysts for enhancing piezo-photocatalytic overall water splitting.