Bi─O Bridges Trigger Lattice Strain‐Electronic Synergy at Inherent In Sites in ZnIn <sub>2</sub> S <sub>4</sub> for Boosting Solar‐to‐H <sub>2</sub> O <sub>2</sub> Conversion
Artificial H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> photosynthesis without sacrificial agents represents a promising yet challenging route for sustainable chemical production, hindered by low solar-to-chemical conversion (SCC) efficiency (natural photosynthesis is only ∼0.1%). Notably, the abundant inherent active sites within base semiconductors remain substantially underutilized. Here, we incorporate Bi into ZnIn<sub>2</sub>S<sub>4</sub> (ZIS) lattices through atomic-level Bi─O coordination, activating inherent In sites via synergistic lattice strain and electron rearrangement. Multiscale characterization confirms the formation of BiO<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>-ZIS with quantified 1.51% lattice elongation. Integrated theoretical calculations and in situ spectroscopic analyses reveal that Bi─O coordination increases electron density at adjacent In sites, which lowers the p-band center and enhances carrier separation. Meanwhile, lattice strain strengthens Bi─O orbital hybridization and weakens In─O covalency. Thus, these effects cooperatively optimize carrier dynamics. Then, the O<sub>2</sub> adsorption is Pauling-type at In site to Yeager-type adsorption at the In─Bi dual sites. Simultaneously, Bi─O bridges function as proton reservoirs to facilitate *OOH formation and *H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> synthesis through enhanced Coulombic interactions. The resulting strain-electron synergy achieves an unprecedented H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> production rate of 6.06 mmol g<sup>-1</sup> h<sup>-1</sup> and 2.32% SCC efficiency, surpassing all reported inorganic semiconductor photocatalysts. This work demonstrates exceptional photocatalytic performance and establishes a highly effective strategy for inherent site activation.
Authors
- Weizun Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0193-8952)
- Zhurui Shen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8803-9812)
- Gaoqing Cao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7524-112X)
- Yingnan Duan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4549-9290)
- Qian Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8525-7961)
- Fangyuan Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5530-2204)
Institutions
- Nankai University (CN)
- Zero to Three (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
- Published
- 2025-09-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202518232
- Citations
- 7
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.54