Interface engineering: Synergism between S-scheme heterojunctions and Mo-O bonds for promote photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Zhiliang Jin; Teng Li; Kai Wang; Xin Guo

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2021.12.007

Interface engineering: Synergism between S-scheme heterojunctions and Mo-O bonds for promote photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2022 Mar:609:212-223. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.12.007. Epub 2021 Dec 4.

Authors

Zhiliang Jin¹, Teng Li², Kai Wang³, Xin Guo³

Affiliations

¹ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Solar Chemical Conversion Technology, Key Laboratory for Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR China. Electronic address: zl-jin@nun.edu.cn.
² School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Solar Chemical Conversion Technology, Key Laboratory for Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR China. Electronic address: teng__li@hotmail.com.
³ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Solar Chemical Conversion Technology, Key Laboratory for Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, PR China.

PMID: 34896825
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.12.007

Abstract

Simple high-temperature calcination and hydrothermal methods were followed to synthesize CeO₂ and Mo-S, respectively. The efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity exhibited by the composite catalysts can be attributed to the edge active sites in Mo-S. The Mo-O bonds formed between CeO₂ and Mo-S could further accelerate the processes of separation and migration of electrons between the catalyst interfaces. The hybrid catalyst 10%-CeO₂/Mo-S exhibiting the best hydrogen generation ability (4.3 mmol h^-1g^-1) was obtained by optimizing the content of CeO₂ in CeO₂/Mo-S. Analysis of the PL spectral profile and photocurrent response recorded for the system revealed that 10%-COMS exhibited excellent photogenerated carrier separation ability. Analysis of the LSV and EIS curves revealed that 10%-COMS exhibited the optimal hydrogen production potential. The charge migration resistance provided by the systems was lower than the charge migration resistance provided by CeO₂ and Mo-S. The synergism between the S-scheme heterojunctions and the Mo-O bonds helped accelerate the separation and migration of photo-induced carriers at the catalyst interfaces. The introduction of covalent bonds in the S-scheme heterojunctions and the results presented herein can potentially help develop a new method to realize photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Keywords: Mo-O bonds; Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution; S-scheme heterojunction; Synergistic effect.