Surface Amination for Site‐Selective Activation of Cd Centers in High‐Entropy Sulfide Photocatalysts

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Authors: Yi-Xiang Wang, Xinyi Shi, Chunyu Wang, Chaojie Fan, Z X Sun, Yuping Wu
Cited by: 1
References: 47

Abstract

ABSTRACT High‐entropy sulfides offer exceptional compositional tunability for catalytic optimization, yet their photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity is often limited by inefficient charge transfer and poorly activated surface metal sites. Here, we report a surface‐functionalized Zn─Cd─Co─Cu─Mn high‐entropy sulfide, in which amino (─NH 2 ) ligands selectively activate Cd centers, enabling efficient cocatalyst‐free photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Surface amination induces the formation of high‐surface‐area two‐dimensional nanosheets and simultaneously modulates the local electronic structure of Cd sites. As a result, the aminated high‐entropy sulfide exhibits a threefold enhancement in photocurrent density and a 16.25‐fold increase in hydrogen evolution rate relative to the non‐functionalized counterpart. Spectroscopic analyses combined with density functional theory calculations reveal that ─NH 2 coordination enhances the electronic accessibility of Cd 4d states, strengthens reactant‐surface coupling, and substantially lowers the energy barriers for both water dissociation and hydrogen evolution. This work establishes surface coordination engineering as a general strategy to unlock the catalytic potential of high‐entropy sulfides and provides a rational pathway toward efficient, cocatalyst‐free photocatalysts.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques 2D Materials and Applications

Publication details

Journal / source
Small Methods
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
10
Issue
11
Pages
e70726–e70726
Publication date
17 May 2026
Language
EN