Synergistic effect of cocatalyst and S-scheme heterojunction over 2D/2D g-C3N4/MoS2 heterostructure coupled Cu nanoparticles for selective photocatalytic CO2 reduction to CO under visible light irradiation. Issue 2 (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bashal, Ali H.; Alkanad, Khaled; Al-Ghorbani, Mohammed; Ben Aoun, Sami; Bajiri, Mohammed Abdullah
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental chemical engineering. Volume 11:Issue 2(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: S-scheme g-C3N4/MoS2 nanocomposite -- Cu nanoparticles -- Synergetic effect -- CO2 reduction selectivity -- Visible light irradiation; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects; Environmental engineering; Periodicals; 660.0286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2023.109545
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2929

Abstract

Abstract: Step-scheme (S-scheme) configuration and cocatalyst are potential strategies for improving the photocatalytic activity of a nanoheterostructure. Herein, Cu nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) coupled 2D/2D van der Waals heterojunction (g-C3 N4 /MoS2 ) has been developed for CO2 reduction under visible light irradiation. Several analytical techniques were conducted to confirm the composition, morphology, and band configuration of the g-C3 N4 /MoS2 /Cu heterostructure. XPS and EPR analyses confirm that the charge transfer during photocatalysis follows the S-scheme mechanism. 2D/2D morphology enables a large interfacial intimate contract, and Cu-NPs act as a cocatalyst, boosting catalytic activity, facilitating electron extraction, and tuning the product selectivity. As a result, the g-C3 N4 /MoS2 /Cu heterostructure achieved efficient photocatalytic CO2 to CO reduction with a yield of 146.7 μmol g −1 h −1 and nearly 100 % selectivity. This paper presents a systematic structural development strategy for controlling the different types of heterointerfaces, as well as facilitating a deep understanding of the mechanism of multi-junction photocatalysts. Graphical Abstract: Advanced 2D/2D g-C3 N4 /MoS2 S-scheme heterostructure has been developed, and mediated with non-noble Cu nanoparticles for CO2 reduction by securing selective products. Cu-NPs possess good multielectron transfer properties, offering better photocatalytic CO2 reduction. ga1 Highlights: A novel g-C3 N4 /MoS2 heterojunction coupled with Cu nanoparticles was constructed. The charge transfer during photocatalysis follows the S-scheme mechanism. TEM analysis confirms the 2D/2D morphology of the g-C3 N4 /MoS2 /Cu heterostructure. Cu nanoparticles act as a co-catalyst, increasing the photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Cu nanoparticles enhanced the selectivity of CO2 reduction toward CO by nearly 100 %.