bridging nanotwinned all-solid-state Z-scheme g-CN/CdCO/CdS heterojunction photocatalyst by metal oxide for H evolution

• Published in: Nanoscale Vol. 14; no. 19; pp. 748 - 7417
• Main Authors: Wang, Jing, Fan, Yulei, Pan, Runhui, Hao, Qi, Ye, Jilei, Wu, Yuping, van Ree, Teunis
• Format: Journal Article
• Published: 19.05.2022
• DOI: 10.1039/d2nr01809h
• ISSN: 2040-3364

Nanotwin and all-solid-state (ASS) Z-scheme heterojunction engineering are two widely used strategies for improving photocatalytic activity in H 2 production. However, both strategies fail to produce a satisfactory effect when used alone due to their own limitations. Hence, combining nanotwin and ASS Z-scheme heterojunction engineering is expected to improve photocatalytic activity effectively. Herein, we report a nanotwinned ASS Z-scheme g-C 3 N 4 /CdCO 3 /CdS (CN/CC/CS) photocatalyst synthesized for the first time by in situ bridging of (CN) and (CS) with a (CC) conductor. The growth and ripening of CN/CC/CS are limited by thiourea (Tu) and CN. CN/CC/CS can improve charge carrier separation and transfer kinetics due to the synergetic advantages of its nanotwin structure, ASS Z-scheme junction, N-Cd chemically bonded interfaces, in situ intimate contact, and hierarchical architecture. The visible-light-driven H 2 production rate of CN/CC/CS is 345% of that of CN/CS. This work proposes a new method for rationally designing novel materials with improved photocatalytic activity by combining heterojunction and defect engineering. CdS and g-C 3 N 4 are in situ bridged by CdCO 3 to form nanotwined all-solid-state (ASS) Z-scheme g-C 3 N 4 /CdCO 3 /CdS heterojunction photocatalyst for enhanced visible-light-driven H 2 production.