Nanoscale MoS2-Zn10In2S13 heterointerfaces regulate charge redistribution for selective furfuryl alcohol photoreforming.

Heterointerface engineering is an effective route to regulate nanoscale charge redistribution and reaction-channel selectivity in semiconductor photocatalysis. However, synchronizing proton reduction with selective biomass-derived alcohol oxidation remains challenging because photogenerated electrons and holes are often consumed through poorly matched or competitive pathways. Herein, preliminary composition screening identified Zn10In2S13 as a redox-window-matched host within the ZnmIn2Sm+3 family, and subsequent in situ photodeposition of MoS2 enabled visible-light-driven furfuryl alcohol (FOL) photoreforming. Photodeposited MoS2 creates electronically coupled sulfide-sulfide interfacial domains that favor electron extraction toward the H2-evolution channel, while Zn10In2S13 retains oxidative holes for FOL activation. Structural characterization confirms nanoscale MoS2 anchoring on Zn10In2S13, while XPS binding-energy shifts indicate altered surface electronic environments at the sulfide-sulfide interface. PL/TRPL, EIS, photocurrent, and LSV analyses further support facilitated interfacial charge transfer. In situ EPR detection of the DMPO-CH(OH)C4H3O adduct supports a radical-mediated FOL-to-furfural (FF) oxidation pathway. The optimized 5 wt% MoS2-Zn10In2S13 photocatalyst delivers an H2 evolution rate of 18.7 mmol·g-1·h-1 and an FF production rate of 10.5 mmol·g-1·h-1 with a carbon balance exceeding 95% under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm) without conventional non-valuable sacrificial hole scavengers. This work highlights how nanoscale heterointerface design can organize charge-transfer pathways and reaction channels for selective solar fuel and chemical co-production.