Optimized h‐BN/Sb2WO6 Interface Mediates an Efficient Charge Separation towards Enhanced Photocatalysis. Issue 37 (7th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rafiq, Umer; Wahid, Malik; Majid, Kowsar
• Is Part Of: ChemistrySelect. Volume 5:Issue 37(2020)
• Page Start: 11637
• Page End: 11647
• Publication Date: 2020-10-07
• Subjects: Charge transfer -- Ionic liquid -- Recombination -- Rhodamine B (RhB) -- Visible light; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1002/slct.202002981
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2365-6549

Abstract

Abstract: The unrestrained charge recombination inherently associated with inorganic semiconductors renders them inefficient for the targeted photocatalytic applications in their pristine state. A variety of compositing strategies have thus become important to mitigate the charge recombinations in this regard. In the present work, we report a modified solvothermal synthesis route to affect the synthesis of appropriately band‐aligned h‐BN/Sb2 WO6 nano‐composite. The later offers improved photocatalytic efficiency owing to reduced electron‐hole recombination ensured through the intimate interfacial contact ascribed to the modified synthesis strategy. The most efficient of h‐BN and Sb2 WO6 compositions (12‐wt % h‐BN/Sb2 WO6 ) depicted an 80.8 % photo‐catalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in 90 min under visible light irradiation compared to 42 % for pure Sb2 WO6 . The photocatalytic degradation of RhB exhibits kapp value of 1.73×10 −2 min −1 which is 2.8 times greater than kapp values of pristine Sb2 WO6 (6.01×10 −3 min −1 ). The radical scavenger tests reveal that the superoxide radicals ( . O2 −1 ) and holes (h + ) are the main reactive species. Additionally, composite catalyst revealed a commendable photostability with 77.29 % retention of photocatalytic efficiency after four catalytic cycles. Abstract : In the h‐BN/Sb2 WO6 composite, charge transfer across the interface results in improved photocatalytic efficiency owing to reduced recombination. 12‐wt % h‐BN/Sb2 WO6 depicted 80.8 % degradation of RhB in 90 min under visible light irradiation compared to 42 % for Sb2 WO6 . RhB degradation exhibits kapp value of 1.73×10 −2 min −1 which is 2.8 times greater than Sb2 WO6 . Superoxide radicals (O2 −1 ) and holes (h + ) are the main reactive species. Composite revealed a commendable photostability with 77.29 % retention of photocatalytic efficiency after four cycles.