Enhanced solar-powered H₂ production from water splitting and sustainable wastewater treatment using interface-engineered ZnIn₂S₄/TiO₂/Ti₃C₂ S-scheme heterocatalyst

Developing efficient photocatalysts that can degrade persistent antibiotics in water bodies and generate clean H₂ through water splitting is crucial for environmental and energy sustainability. This study introduces an advanced hierarchical ZnIn₂S₄/TiO₂/Ti₃C₂ (ZIS/TO/TC) heterocatalyst for the efficient removal of amoxicillin (AXC) from wastewater and the production of H₂ through water reduction process under simulated solar illumination. The ZIS/TO/TC hybrids were fabricated via an in situ hydrothermal process, resulting in a hierarchical 3D structure that capitalizes on the complementary properties of each component. The design of the S-scheme heterojunction significantly enhances charge separation and transfer efficiency, offering improvements over traditional type-II or Z-scheme mechanisms. Notably, the optimized ZIS10/TO/TC hybrid catalyst demonstrated remarkable activity, achieving 100 % AXC degradation and excellent mineralization within 90 min, along with an H₂ production rate of 4104 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹, significantly outperforming the individual components and exceeding previously reported efficiencies. The outstanding performance of the ZIS10/TO/TC hybrid is attributed to its enhanced light absorption properties, synergistic interactions among the ZIS, TO, and TC MXene, and the efficient S-scheme charge transfer mechanism, which facilitates effective charge separation and transfer while preserving the strong reducing and oxidizing capabilities of the components. Additionally, the ZIS10/TO/TC hybrid exhibited excellent stability over multiple photocatalytic tests, emphasizing its potential for practical applications. Therefore, this research demonstrates an advanced and highly efficient hybrid photocatalyst that offers a promising and sustainable solution for both integrated water treatment and renewable energy generation.