journal article·2026-07Open access

Mechanistic Insights Into In‐Phase SrTiO 3 (110)/ZnIn 2 S 4 (102) S‐Scheme Heterojunctions for Multifunctional Hydrogen Evolution

Syed Asim Ali, Iqra Sadiq, Zakir Ullah, Shubhangi Majumdar, Pramit Kumar Chowdhury, Tokeer Ahmad

Small· Volume 22· Issue 40

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rational design of facet‐engineered heterojunctions is critical for advancing multifunctional hydrogen evolution through various technologies that rely on sustainable resources. Herein, we report the synthesis of in‐phase SrTiO 3 (110)/ZnIn 2 S 4 (102) facet‐rich heterojunctions, featuring a highly aligned interface that simultaneously enhances charge separation and boosts hydrogen evolution activity across photochemical, electrochemical, and photoelectrochemical processes. Detailed structural and spectroscopic analyses, including optical studies, XPS, EIS, Mott‐Schottky measurements, electron localization function, and difference charge density mapping, reveal an S‐scheme charge transfer pathway facilitated by strong interfacial coupling and favorable band alignment. The exposure of S‐rich ZnIn 2 S 4 facets provides optimal hydrogen adsorption sites, while the (110)/(102) facet synergy promotes directional charge transport and visible‐light‐driven activity. Consequently, the optimized 7.5 wt.% ZnIn 2 S 4 ‐SrTiO 3 (7.5ZIS) heterostructure achieves a ∼10‐fold increase in photochemical H 2 evolution compared to pristine SrTiO 3 and ZnIn 2 S 4 , with an AQY of 35.7% at 450 nm. Additionally, it delivers impressive HER current densities at lower overpotential values in electrochemical (651 mV) and photoelectrochemical (584 mV) processes, without utilizing expensive conductive substrates like Ni foam. This study offers deep mechanistic insight into facet‐selective S‐scheme design and positions oxide‐sulfide heterojunctions as promising candidates for scalable H 2 production.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques · Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion · TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Nanochemistry Laboratory Department of Chemistry Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi India

Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen Technologies and Carbon Management (IRC‐HTCM) King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Dhahran Saudi Arabia

Department of Materials Science and Engineering Chungnam National University Daejeon Republic of Korea

Department of Chemistry Indian Institute of Technology New Delhi India

Funding

National Research Foundation of Korea

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