Heterojunction nanoarchitectonics of WOx/Au-g-C₃N₄ with efficient photogenerated carrier separation and transfer toward improved NO and benzene conversion
Heterojunction nanoarchitectonics of WOx/Au-g-C₃N₄ with efficient photogenerated carrier separation and transfer toward improved NO and benzene conversion
Heterojunction nanoarchitectonics of WOx/Au-g-C₃N₄ with efficient photogenerated carrier separation and transfer toward improved NO and benzene conversion
Autor
Zhang, Xiao
Matras-Postołek, Katarzyna
Yang, Ping
Opublikowane w
Materials Today Advances
Numeracja
Vol. 17 (100355)
Data wydania
2023
Wydawca
Elsevier Ltd.
Język
angielski
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtadv.2023.100355
Słowa kluczowe
G-C₃N₄ nanosheets, Au, WOx, Heterojunctions, NO and Benzene conversion
Abstrakt
Topics on effectively improving the photochemical CO₂/benzene/NO oxidation conversion performances of g-C₃N₄ based materials via charge transfer and separation enhancement are still considered challenging, despite the growing popularity of applying these materials in a variety of energy conversion related applications. Based on the idea of nanoarchitectonics, a post-nanotechnology concept, WOx/Au-g-C₃N₄ heterostructures are synthesized using two-step thermal polymerization and solvothermal treatment methods in this paper. Small Au nanoparticles are incorporated in superior thin g-C₃N₄ via mechano-chemical pre-reaction and two-step thermal polymerization (treated at 500 and 700 °C). Enhanced photocurrent density is observed after incorporation of Au, which is also in good agreement with the photocatalytic activity (H2 generation and CO₂ reduction) data. Layered WOx with abundant oxygen vacancies are further incorporated into Au-modified g-C₃N₄ nanosheets to form heterojunctions possessing excellent photocatalytic CO₂ photo-reduction performances with CO and CH₄ generation rate of 5.64 and 2.58 μmolg−1h−1, respectively, under full solar spectrum. The heterojunctions constructed via in-situ formation show direct Z-scheme charge transfer pathway with improved charge separation and transport efficiencies. These highly stable and recyclable hierarchical g-C₃N₄ hybrid nanostructures (WOx/Au-g-C₃N₄ heterojunctions) show outstanding conversion rate (88.1%) and selectivity (99.3%) for benzene to phenol conversion under full solar spectrum condition, as well as excellent NO removal rate (61%).
