Construction of PANI/Zn2In2S5 Heterojunction for Synergistically Enhanced Photocatalytic C–C Coupling of Methanol to Ethylene Glycol

The photocatalytic dehydrogenative coupling of methanol to ethylene glycol (EG) is a sustainable route for C1 small molecule valorization. However, the rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers in pristine Zn2In2S5 (ZIS) limits its efficiency. In this study, a series of PANI/ZIS nanocomposites were fabricated via a simple one-step hydrothermal method. The optimal 7.5%-PANI/ZIS catalyst exhibited an exceptional EG generation rate of 4.87 mmol/g/h under visible light, representing a 6.76-fold enhancement over pristine ZIS. Photoelectrochemical characterizations confirm that the formation of a Type-II heterojunction effectively promotes charge separation and reduces transfer resistance. This work provides a valuable interfacial engineering strategy for the high-value utilization of C1 molecules.