Abstract

As the interest in sustainable energy production increases, water splitting through semiconductor materials to convert solar energy directly to hydrogen energy has been extensively reported to date. Recently, the III–VI group chalcogenide semiconductors have received great attention for narrow-gap photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting electrodes. Among the metal sulfides, beta indium sulfide (β-In₂S₃) shows remarkable properties for photoelectrodes such as high photoelectric sensitivity, high photoconductivity, large photoelectric conversion yield, low toxicity, high absorption coefficient, efficient charge separation, moderate charge transport, appropriate band position, and narrow band gap. Most of its unique properties come from the defective spinel crystal structure. Despite the superior advantages, there is a serious problem of photocorrosion induced by accumulated holes on the surface of the electrodes during the photocatalytic reaction under illumination which reduces the PEC properties. Herein, we review overall physicochemical and optoelectronic properties of β-In₂S₃, regardless of pros and cons, followed by the discussion of assorted strategies to further improve the PEC activities.

Graphic Abstract

中文翻译：

---

β-In2 S 3作为水分解光阳极：承诺和挑战

摘要

随着对可持续能源生产的兴趣增加，迄今为止，已经广泛报道了通过半导体材料分解水以将太阳能直接转化为氢能的方法。最近，III-VI族硫族化物半导体在窄间隙光电化学（PEC）水分解电极方面引起了极大的关注。在金属硫化物中，β-铟硫化物（β- _In2 S ₃）对于光电极显示出显着的特性，例如高光电灵敏度，高光电导率，大光电转换产率，低毒性，高吸收系数，有效的电荷分离，适度的电荷传输，适当的能带位置和窄的带隙。它的大多数独特特性都来自有缺陷的尖晶石晶体结构。尽管有许多优点，但是在光照下的光催化反应过程中，电极表面积聚的空穴会引起光腐蚀的严重问题，这降低了PEC性能。在此，我们回顾整体理化及光电性能β-在₂小号₃，不论其利弊如何，随后讨论进一步改善PEC活动的各种策略。

图形摘要