All-solid-state direct Z-scheme NiTiO 3/Cd 0.5Zn 0.5S heterostructures for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with visible light

Author(s): Bifang Li ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Wenjing Wang ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Jiwu Zhao ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Zhaoyu Wang ⁶ ^, ⁷ ^, ⁸ ^, ⁵ , Bo Su ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Yidong Hou ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Zhengxin Ding ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Wee-Jun Ong ⁹ ^, ¹⁰ ^, ¹¹ ^, ¹² ^, ¹³ , Sibo Wang ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵

Publication date (Electronic): 2021

Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

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Abstract

All-solid-state direct NiTiO ₃/Cd _0.5Zn _0.5S Z-scheme heterostructures enabled the visible-light hydrogen evolution at an optimal H ₂-releasing rate of 26.45 mmol h ⁻¹ g ⁻¹.

Abstract

The construction of NiTiO ₃/Cd _0.5Zn _0.5S heterostructures is presented as all-solid-state direct Z-scheme photocatalysts for the efficient and stable hydrogen production under visible light. The NiTiO ₃/Cd _0.5Zn _0.5S hybrids are assembled by growing Cd _0.5Zn _0.5S nanoparticles on the surface of NiTiO ₃ nanorods via a co-precipitation and hydrothermal coupled method. The compositional and structural features of the NiTiO ₃/Cd _0.5Zn _0.5S composites are fully disclosed via diverse physicochemical characterizations. The NiTiO ₃/Cd _0.5Zn _0.5S heterostructures are revealed to effectively capture the optical spectrum in the visible region as well as enhance the transfer and separation of photogenerated charge carriers through the Z-schematic pathway. Consequently, the optimized NiTiO ₃/Cd _0.5Zn _0.5S photocatalyst shows a high H ₂ production rate of 1058 μmol h ⁻¹ (26.45 mmol h ⁻¹ g ⁻¹), which is independent of any cocatalysts (such as Pt), together with a high apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 34% under monochromatic light irradiation at 420 nm. Besides, the NiTiO ₃/Cd _0.5Zn _0.5S composites also exhibit a high stability for the H ₂ evolution photocatalysis mainly due to the fact that the Z-schematic charge separation and migration can enable the efficient consumption of light-induced holes of Cd _0.5Zn _0.5S to prevent the photocorrosion effect. Finally, a possible photocatalytic H ₂ evolution mechanism over the Z-schematic NiTiO ₃/Cd _0.5Zn _0.5S heterostructures is also presented based on the results of the band structures, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and electron spin resonance (ESR) tests.

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Heterojunction Photocatalysts.

Jingxiang Low, Jiaguo Yu, Mietek Jaroniec … (2017)

Semiconductor-based photocatalysis attracts wide attention because of its ability to directly utilize solar energy for production of solar fuels, such as hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels and for degradation of various pollutants. However, the efficiency of photocatalytic reactions remains low due to the fast electron-hole recombination and low light utilization. Therefore, enormous efforts have been undertaken to solve these problems. Particularly, properly engineered heterojunction photocatalysts are shown to be able to possess higher photocatalytic activity because of spatial separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Here, the basic principles of various heterojunction photocatalysts are systematically discussed. Recent efforts toward the development of heterojunction photocatalysts for various photocatalytic applications are also presented and appraised. Finally, a brief summary and perspectives on the challenges and future directions in the area of heterojunction photocatalysts are also provided.