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.

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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
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article

Bi─O Bridges Trigger Lattice Strain‐Electronic Synergy at Inherent In Sites in ZnIn 2 S 4 for Boosting Solar‐to‐H 2 O 2 Conversion

Weizun Li, Zhurui Shen, Gaoqing Cao, Yingnan Duan et al.
7 citations
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
2.54
article

Bi─O Bridges Trigger Lattice Strain‐Electronic Synergy at Inherent In Sites in ZnIn 2 S 4 for Boosting Solar‐to‐H 2 O 2 Conversion

Weizun Li, Zhurui Shen, Gaoqing Cao, Yingnan Duan, Qian Liu, Fangyuan Chen
article en
7 citations

Abstract

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.

Angewandte Chemie International EditionVol. 64(47)
Nankai University (CN), Zero to Three (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
2.54
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