Self-generating CoFe2O4 as electric channel in Z-scheme CoO(111)/CoFe2O4/Fe2O3 photocatalyst for synchronous photocatalytic degradation and hydrogen production. (15th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Yu; Lin, Yitong; Liu, Zhiyu; Tang, Jianhe; Chen, Liang; Liu, Xueke; Tian, Ying; Fang, Dawei; Wang, Jun
• Is Part Of: Materials science in semiconductor processing. Volume 140(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03-15
• Subjects: Z-Scheme CoO(111)/CoFe2O4/Fe2O3 -- Solid state reaction -- Electric channel -- Sunlight driven photocatalytic degradation -- H2 production; Semiconductors -- Periodicals; Integrated circuits -- Materials -- Periodicals; Semiconducteurs -- Périodiques; Circuits intégrés -- Matériaux -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 621.38152
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mssp.2021.106382
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-8001

Abstract

Abstract: Semiconductor photocatalysis is a promising technology in environmental protection and renewable energy production. In this work, a novel Z-scheme CoO(111)/CoFe2 O4 /Fe2 O3 photocatalyst with a highly active surface is successfully synthesized via solid state reaction (SSR) method and then is used to realize the synchronous photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and H2 production under sunlight irradiation. The as-prepared Z-scheme CoO(111)/CoFe2 O4 /Fe2 O3 photocatalyst heated at 450 °C for 2.0 h displays an excellent photocatalytic activity. It can be attributed to the generation of adequate amount of CoFe2 O4 between CoO(111) and Fe2 O3, which can be regarded as an effective electric channel to accelerate the electron migration from conduction band of Fe2 O3 to valence band of CoO. Furthermore, the agglomerated electrons on the exposed (111) active facet of CoO can reduce the H + to generate hydrogen. Under the same conditions, within four periods the Z-scheme CoO(111)/CoFe2 O4 /Fe2 O3 photocatalyst still shows the outstanding photocatalytic activity and extraordinary photo-stability. Moreover, a related mechanism on the synchronous photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and H2 production under sunlight irradiation over the Z-scheme CoO(111)/CoFe2 O4 /Fe2 O3 photocatalyst is presented. Perhaps, this present work can offer an idea for highly efficient hydrogen production utilizing organic pollutants. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: CoFe2 O4 between CoO(111) and Fe2 O3 can be generated as conductive channel. Z-scheme CoO(111)/CoFe2 O4 /Fe2 O3 photocatalyst is prepared via solid phase reaction. Redox reaction inside CoFe2 O4 accelerates electron transfer from Fe2 O3 to CoO(111). Electron-hole is separated well in Z-scheme CoO(111)/CoFe2 O4 /Fe2 O3 photocatalyst. Active (111) facet can agglomerate electrons to effectively produce hydrogen.