Fabrication of CdLa2S4@La(OH)3@Co3S4 Z-scheme heterojunctions with dense La, S-dual defects for robust photothermal assisted photocatalytic performance

Houfeng Zhang; Bojing Sun; Junjie Wang; Qian Zhu; Dongfang Hou; Chen Li; Xiu-Qing Qiao; Dong-Sheng Li

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2023.04.146

Fabrication of CdLa₂S₄@La(OH)₃@Co₃S₄ Z-scheme heterojunctions with dense La, S-dual defects for robust photothermal assisted photocatalytic performance

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2023 Sep:645:429-438. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.04.146. Epub 2023 May 3.

Authors

Houfeng Zhang¹, Bojing Sun², Junjie Wang³, Qian Zhu³, Dongfang Hou⁴, Chen Li³, Xiu-Qing Qiao¹, Dong-Sheng Li⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China; Hubei Three Gorges Laboratory, Yichang, Hubei 443007, PR China.
² College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China; Hubei Three Gorges Laboratory, Yichang, Hubei 443007, PR China. Electronic address: sunbj2022@163.com.
³ College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China.
⁴ College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China; Hubei Three Gorges Laboratory, Yichang, Hubei 443007, PR China. Electronic address: dfhouok@126.com.
⁵ College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China; Hubei Three Gorges Laboratory, Yichang, Hubei 443007, PR China. Electronic address: lidongsheng1@126.com.

PMID: 37156151
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.04.146

Abstract

Optimize the separation and transport mechanism of photogenerated carriers in heterojunction composites, and make full use of the active sites of each material are key factors to enhance photocatalytic activity. Herein, we successfully synthesize defective CdLa₂S₄@La(OH)₃@Co₃S₄ (CLS@LOH@CS) Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts through a facile solvothermal method, which show broad-spectrum absorption and excellent photocatalytic activity. La(OH)₃ nanosheets not only greatly increase the specific surface area of photocatalyst, but also can be coupled with CdLa₂S₄ (CLS) and form Z-scheme heterojunction by converting irradiation light. In addition, Co₃S₄ with photothermal properties is obtained by in-situ sulfurization method, which can release heat to improve the mobility of photogenerated carriers, and also be used as a cocatalyst for hydrogen production. Most importantly, the formation of Co₃S₄ leads to a large number of sulfur vacancy defects in CLS, and thus improving the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes, and increasing the catalytic active sites. Consequently, the maximum hydrogen production rate of CLS@LOH@CS heterojunctions can reach 26.4 mmol g^-1h^-1, which is 293 times than pristine CLS (0.09 mmol g^-1h^-1). This work will provide a new horizon for synthesizing high efficiency heterojunction photocatalysts through switching the separation and transport modes of photogenerated carrier.

Keywords: CdLa(2)S(4); La, S-dual defects; Photocatalysis; Photothermal properties; Z-scheme heterojunction.