Ternary Co3O4/CdS/SrTiO3 core-shell pn junctions toward enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production activity. Issue 1 (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Zhanfen; Pan, Jiaqi; Mei, Jie; Yu, Qi; Wang, Panhong; Wang, Peipei; Wang, Jingjing; Song, Changsheng; Zheng, Yingying; Li, Chaorong
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental chemical engineering. Volume 9:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Ternary Pn junction -- Core shell -- Photocatalytic hydrogen production -- Stability; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects; Environmental engineering; Periodicals; 660.0286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2020.104895
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2929

Abstract

Abstract: A ternary Co3 O4 /CdS/SrTiO3 core-shell pn junction is fabricated via a simple hydrothermal-chemical-photodeposition method. Herein, a CdS shell is deposited on the surface of a SrTiO3 nanosphere, and then p-type Co3 O4 lamellas are grown on the surface of the CdS/SrTiO3 core-shell heterojunction. Evaluated by its hydrogen evolution ability, the as-prepared ternary Co3 O4 /CdS/SrTiO3 core-shell pn junction exhibits an obvious photocatalytic enhancement of ~15-fold compared to single SrTiO3 nanospheres. This improvement can be mainly ascribed to the narrow band gaps of CdS and Co3 O4 increasing the visible light response, and the ternary core-shell pn junction quickly transferring/diffusing photogenerated charge carriers into water. Additionally, the core-shell structure can provide sufficient active sites, and the ultrathin Co3 O4 lamellas can shorten the photoelectron transport path to improve the photocatalytic stability. Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: Ternary pn junction can promote photoelectron separation/transport efficiently. Core-shell structure can increase specific surface areas and solar efficiency. Co3 O4 nanosheets can increase active sites and stability.