Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (3): 100166.doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100166

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Photocatalytic selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural coupled with H2 evolution over In2O3/ZnIn2S4 S-scheme heterojunction

Ze Luo1, Yukun Zhu1, Yadan Luo1, Guangmin Ren2, Yonghong Wang1, Hua Tang1,*()   

  1. 1 School of Environment and Geography, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China
    2 College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao, 266042, Shandong Province, China
  • Received:2025-07-16 Revised:2025-08-15 Accepted:2025-08-17 Published:2026-01-05
  • Contact: Email: huatang79@163.com (Hua Tang)

Abstract:

Addressing the global energy and environmental crisis necessitates the development of sustainable photocatalytic technologies capable of efficiently converting biomass into high-value chemicals and clean fuels. In this study, we develop a novel one-dimensional/two-dimensional (1D/2D) In2O3/ZnIn2S4 S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst through in situ growth process. This rationally designed architecture combines rod-like In2O3 with sheet-like ZnIn2S4 nanosheets, facilitating directional charge transport and providing a high density of active sites. Consequently, the optimized In2O3/ZnIn2S4 heterojunction achieved a 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) conversion rate of 81.6% with a high selectivity of 78.2% toward 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). Furthermore, it exhibited a hydrogen (H2) evolution rate of 257.69 μmol g−1 h−1 under 420 nm LED irradiation. These results demonstrate the efficacy of S-scheme heterojunctions in enabling spatial charge separation and boosting photocatalytic activity, offering a promising strategy for solar-driven biomass valorization and sustainable H2 production.

Key words: Photocatalysis, S-scheme heterojunction, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation, Hydrogen evolution, In2O3/ZnIn2S4