Synergistic organic dye degradation and hydrogen production using Bi2Te3/Te/C single-catalyst nanowires

• Published in: Materials & design Vol. 233; p. 112217
• Main Authors: Zhao, Chenchen, Wang, Dongbo, Zeng, Zhi, Zhang, Bingke, Pan, Jingwen, Liu, Donghao, Liu, Sihang, Jiao, Shujie, Liu, Gang, Xu, Zhikun, Zhao, Liancheng, Wang, Jinzhong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Bi2Te3/Te/C NWs; Degradation; Heterostructures; Hydrogen production; Degradation; Bi2Te3/Te/C NWs; Heterostructures; Hydrogen production
• ISSN: 0264-1275; 1873-4197
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2023.112217

The efficient carrier transfer and accumulation achieved by the Bi2Te3/Te/C NWs could explain the hydrogen production and improved degradation performance of organic dyes in the presence of NaBH4. [Display omitted] •A simple Bi2Te3/Te/C NWs catalyst with a high specific surface area was prepared.•Without precious metals, the catalytic degradation of MB and MO was completed rapidly in 20 and 150 s, respectively.•In scaled-up organic dye degradation/hydrogen production experiments, fast and efficient H2 production can be realized.•The mechanism of synergistic organic dye degradation and hydrogen production is proposed. Over-consumption of limited fossil fuels has caused serious environmental pollution and a global energy crisis, threatening human life and biodiversity. As an ideal, environmentally friendly renewable energy, hydrogen can satisfy human clean energy requirements. Therefore, whether hydrogen can be catalytically generated in the wastewater treatment process is a highly meaningful investigation. Herein, Bi2Te3/Te/C heterojunction nanowires with high specific surface area and rich pore structure were successfully synthesized. The efficient catalytic degradation process is accompanied by the generation of hydrogen. The catalytic degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange was achieved in less than 20 s and 150 s, respectively. Meanwhile, in scaled-up degradation/hydrogen production experiments, fast and efficient H2 production from NaBH4 can be realized in the presence of Bi2Te3/Te/C nanowires. The mechanism of efficient synergistic organic dye degradation and hydrogen production is due to the efficient carrier transfers and accumulation at the hetero-interface. In contrast to previous work, rapid degradation of organic dyes and hydrogen production by decomposition of NaBH4 were achieved without the help of high-cost catalysts such as precious metals. This work could provide an alternative pathway for the future degradation of organic matter in synergistic heterogeneous catalytic wastewater and recovery of by-products including hydrogen.