Ye Zhang Team Publishes Breakthrough in Advanced Materials: Electron-Mediated Transport Mechanism of Ni₃S₄/ZnCdS Heterojunction in Plastic Photoreforming

Recently, a research team led by Professor Ye Zhang from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of South China published a study in Advanced Materials (impact factor 27.4, Chinese Academy of Sciences Class 1) titled "An electron transfer mediated mechanism for efficient photoreforming of waste plastics using a Ni₃S₄/ZnCdS heterojunction." The study innovatively constructs a non-noble metal Ni₃S₄/ZnCdS heterojunction photocatalytic system and systematically investigates its application performance and mechanism in waste plastic photoreforming.Findings reveal that an efficient single-electron transfer channel forms between Ni₃S₄ and ZnCdS, enabling spatial separation of photogenerated charge carriers. This breakthrough significantly enhances both the selectivity of plastic degradation products and hydrogen (H₂) generation efficiency.

As the global plastic pollution crisis intensifies, the development of efficient and green waste plastic treatment technologies has become an urgent priority. Photoreforming, an environmentally friendly approach, has demonstrated enormous potential for the resource utilization of waste plastics. However, existing techniques still face critical scientific challenges such as low liquid-phase product yields and poor product selectivity.To address this, Professor Ye Zhang’s research team has achieved directional conversion of waste plastics into high-value chemicals while generating clean energy H₂ through precise design of a Ni₃S₄/ZnCdS heterojunction photocatalyst. Through systematic experimental characterization and theoretical calculations, the team deeply elucidated the charge transfer mechanism of the photocatalyst and the plastic degradation pathways, providing a vital theoretical foundation and practical guidance for developing efficient plastic photoreforming technologies.This innovative research not only advances the application of photocatalytic technology in environmental governance but also offers new insights and methods for solving the global plastic pollution problem.

Figure 1. Charge Transfer Mechanism of N/ZCS During Photoreforming

Figure 2. Molecular-Level Reaction Mechanism, Reaction Pathways of Degradation Products, and Energy Analysis During Photoreforming

This research was jointly funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the University of South China High-Level Talent Startup Fund, and Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Projects. Theoretical calculations were supported by collaborative institutions including Uppsala University, Sweden and Shenzhen University. Professor Ye Zhang from the University of South China and Professor Hans Ågren from Uppsala University served as co-corresponding authors, with Master’s student Ma Zehao from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of South China as the first author.

Paper Link:

https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adma.202416581