Ultrathin Z-scheme 2D/2D N-doped HTiNbO5 nanosheets/g-C3N4 porous composites for efficient photocatalytic degradation and H2 generation under visible light

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 583; pp. 58 - 70
• Main Authors: Liu, Chao, Han, Zitong, Feng, Yue, Dai, Hailu, Zhao, Yefan, Han, Ni, Zhang, Qinfang, Zou, Zhigang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.02.2021
• Subjects: 2D/2D heterostructure; Nanosheets; Photocatalysis; Visible light; Z-scheme; Nanosheets; Visible light; Z-scheme; 2D/2D heterostructure; Photocatalysis
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.09.018

Ultrathin Z-scheme 2D/2D N-doped HTiNbO5 nanosheets/g-C3N4 composites were constructed by a two-step exfoliation-restacking process, showing the enhanced photocatalytic performance for RhB degradation and H2 generation under visible light due to the synergistic effects of the increased specific surface area, N-doping and 2D/2D heterostructure. [Display omitted] •Z-scheme N-doped HTiNbO5 nanosheets/g-C3N4 heterojunctions were constructed.•2D/2D heterojunction of composites promoted the charge separation.•The synergistic effects improved photocatalytic efficiency.•The active species of h+, •OH and •O2− contributed to RhB photodegradation.•A direct Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism was proposed. To realize highly efficient utilization of solar energy for solving problems of environmental pollution and energy shortage has attracted increasing attention. Herein, a two-step exfoliation-restacking process was employed to construct ultrathin Z-scheme two-dimensional (2D)/2D N-doped HTiNbO5 nanosheets/g-C3N4 (RTCN) heterojunction composites with the increased specific surface areas, showing the enhanced photocatalytic performance for rhodamine B (RhB) degradation and hydrogen (H2) generation under visible light irradiation. A 2D/2D heterojunction structure was formed between N-doped H+-restacked HTiNbO5 nanosheets (N-RTNS) and g-C3N4, which was beneficial for the effectively spatial separation of photogenerated charge carriers. The improved photocatalytic activities may be attributed to the synergistic effects of the increased specific surface area, N-doping and 2D/2D heterostructure. The active species of holes (h+), hydroxyl (•OH) and superoxide (•O2−) radicals contributed to RhB photodegradation. A Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism was proposed over RTCN-2 composite, showing dual advantages of the highly redox ability and efficient charge carrier separation.