Search

Exploring high efficiency S‐scheme heterojunction photocatalysts with strong redox ability for removing volatile organic compounds from the air is of great interest and importance. However, how to predict and regulate the transport of photogenerated carriers in heterojunctions is a great challenge. Here, density functional theory calculations were first used to successfully predict the formation of a CdS quantum dots/InVO4 atomic‐layer (110)/(110) facet S‐scheme heterojunction. Subsequently, a CdS quantum dots/InVO4 atomic‐layer was synthesized by in‐situ loading of CdS quantum dots with (110) facets onto the (110) facets of InVO4 atomic‐layer. As a result of the deliberately constructed built‐in electric field between the adjoining facets, we obtain a remarkably enhanced photocatalytic degradation rate for ethylene. This rate is 13.8 times that of pure CdS and 13.2 times that of pure InVO4. In‐situ irradiated X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence and time‐resolved photoluminescence measurements were carried out. These experiments validate that the built‐in electric field enhanced the dissociation of photoexcited excitons and the separation of free charge carriers, and results in the formation of S‐scheme charge transfer pathways. The reaction mechanism of the photocatalytic C2H4 oxidation is investigated by in‐situ electron paramagnetic resonance. This work provides a mechanistic insight into the construction and optimization of semiconductor heterojunction photocatalysts for application to environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic oxidation of ethylene continues to be a challenge at the frontier of chemistry. In a previous report, a simple Ag3PO4 semiconductor material was shown to have strong photooxidative properties and efficiently oxidised water and decomposed organics in aqueous solution under visible-light illumination. Herein, its effects on the photo-oxidation of gaseous C2H4 were investigated by fabricating graphitic C3N4-Ag3PO4 composite semiconductors with direct Z-scheme configuration. It was found that both the ethylene photo-oxidative activity and the stability of Ag3PO4 are considerably improved by fabrication of Z-scheme composites. Moreover, stable C2H4 photo-oxidation activity could be obtained by treating the composite at 450 °C for 3 h after long-term operation. From the point of view of environmental pollutant cleanup, the present technique avoids the side reaction of oxidising water and will be valuable for further investigations on both Ag3PO4 and CH degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

30 examples [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile one-pot two-step synthesis of functionalized indenones [cf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]