All-solid-state direct Z-scheme NiTiO3/Cd0.5Zn0.5S heterostructures for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with visible light. Issue 16 (13th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Bifang; Wang, Wenjing; Zhao, Jiwu; Wang, Zhaoyu; Su, Bo; Hou, Yidong; Ding, Zhengxin; Ong, Wee-Jun; Wang, Sibo
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 9:Issue 16(2021)
• Page Start: 10270
• Page End: 10276
• Publication Date: 2021-04-13
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d1ta01220g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : All-solid-state direct NiTiO3 /Cd0.5 Zn0.5 S Z-scheme heterostructures enabled the visible-light hydrogen evolution at an optimal H2 -releasing rate of 26.45 mmol h −1 g −1 . Abstract : The construction of NiTiO3 /Cd0.5 Zn0.5 S heterostructures is presented as all-solid-state direct Z-scheme photocatalysts for the efficient and stable hydrogen production under visible light. The NiTiO3 /Cd0.5 Zn0.5 S hybrids are assembled by growing Cd0.5 Zn0.5 S nanoparticles on the surface of NiTiO3 nanorods via a co-precipitation and hydrothermal coupled method. The compositional and structural features of the NiTiO3 /Cd0.5 Zn0.5 S composites are fully disclosed via diverse physicochemical characterizations. The NiTiO3 /Cd0.5 Zn0.5 S 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 NiTiO3 /Cd0.5 Zn0.5 S photocatalyst shows a high H2 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 NiTiO3 /Cd0.5 Zn0.5 S composites also exhibit a high stability for the H2 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 Cd0.5 Zn0.5 S to prevent the photocorrosion effect. Finally, a possible photocatalytic H2 evolution mechanism over the Z-schematic NiTiO3 /Cd0.5 Zn0.5 S heterostructures is also presented based on the results of the band structures, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and electron spin resonance (ESR) tests.