<p>To mitigate the problem of rapid charge carrier recombination in isolated ZnIn₂S₄ photocatalysts, researchers developed an AgVO₃/ZnIn₂S₄ hybrid material through controlled composite formation. The photocatalytic reaction facilitated the reduction of Ag⁺ ions to metallic Ag nanoparticles, which effectively mediated electron transfer processes. This investigation systematically evaluated how different AgVO₃ incorporation levels influenced the composite hydrogen generation efficiency. Optimal performance was achieved with the 20 wt% AgVO₃/ZnIn₂S₄ formulation, demonstrating exceptional photocatalytic activity with a hydrogen yield of 15.932 mmol·g^− 1·h^− 1 and a corresponding photocurrent density of 13.33 µA·cm^− 2. These findings confirm that the engineered composite architecture successfully suppresses charge recombination while significantly boosting photocatalytic performance. The developed modification approach for ZnIn₂S₄ provides important insights for future catalyst design and optimization strategies. This research represents meaningful progress in developing robust and high-efficiency photocatalytic systems for sustainable hydrogen production and related energy applications.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>