Novel 0D/1D ZnBi2O4/ZnO S-scheme photocatalyst for hydrogen production and BPA removal. (9th July 2021) - Bahadoran, Ashkan
Abstract: Developing interfacial connections is one of the breakthrough strategies to improve the photocatalytic activity. Herein, ZnBi2 O4 nanoparticles-ZnO nanorods heterojunction was successfully synthesized and used, as a dual-function photocatalyst, for photocatalytic degradation of Bisphenol A and hydrogen production with improved photocatalytic activity under simulated sunlight irradiation. The highest H2 production (3.44 mmol g −1 h −1 ) was obtained for ZnO-20 wt% ZnBi2 O4 sample, which is around 12.7 times higher than pure ZnO. According to the HRTEM result, the intimate interfacial connections are formed between ZnO and ZnBi2 O4 which could act as trapping centers for charge carriers and results in the boosted photocatalytic activity. Further, a high aspect ratio of 1D ZnO nanorods and small size of 0D ZnBi2 O4 nanoparticles (~10 nm) increases the number of interfacial contacts and thus the charge carriers' recombination was suppressed more efficiently. Based on the trapping experiments, ESR and Mott-Schottky analysis, ZnBi2 O4 –ZnO hybrid photocatalyst followed the S -scheme charge transfer mechanism. Highlights: Novel 0D/1D ZnBi2 O4 /ZnO p-n heterojunction was successfully prepared. The prepared hybrid system revealed improved H2 production and BPA decomposition. The highest hydrogen evolution (3.44 mmol .g −1 .h −1 ) was achieved on ZnO–20%ZnBi2 O4 . S -scheme mechanism was suggested for boosted photocatalytic activity. The defects formed at the interfacial contacts decreased the recombination rate.