Rationalsynthesisof highlyefficientdual-Z-schemeInVO4/FeVO4/Ex-CQDs-g-C3N4heterojunctionfor photo(electro)chemicalwater splittingand pollutantremovalapplications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2024
Abstract
Background: The ever-growing concern for environmental pollution and the need for clean energy sources have driven research toward sustainable technologies. Semiconductor photocatalysis has emerged as a promising approach for both environmental remediation and clean energy generation due to its efficiency and environment-friendly nature. This work focuses on developing a novel photocatalyst capable of addressing two crucial environmental challenges: Cr(VI) removal and water splitting for clean hydrogen production. Methods: This study presents the development of a dual-Z-scheme heterojunction photo(electro)catalyst based on a combination of metal vanadates (FeVO4 and InVO4) and ultrasound-exfoliated carbon-rich graphitic carbon nitride (Ex-C-g-CN), denoted as IVO/FVO/Ex-C-g-CN. The synthesized nanocomposite was thoroughly characterized using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques (such as XRD, XPS, UV-DRS, FESEM, EDX, and PL) to understand its material properties and structure. These techniques are crucial for elucidating the relationship between the composition of the material and its photocatalytic performance. Significant findings: The key innovation of this work lies in the design of the dual-Z-scheme heterojunction within the IVO/FVO/Ex-C-g-CN photo(electro)catalyst. This design fosters efficient separation of photogenerated charges, a critical factor for enhancing photocatalytic activity. The effectiveness of this approach is evident in the achieved removal efficiency of 97.17 % for 100 ppm Cr(VI) within just 60 min of visible light irradiation. This demonstrates the superior ability of the developed photocatalyst to address chromium contamination. Furthermore, the photocatalyst exhibits a remarkable photocurrent of 3.16 mA and a low onset potential of 112 mV for the photoelectrochemical oxygen evolution (OER) reaction. These findings highlight the potential of this material for solar-driven water splitting, a clean and sustainable method for hydrogen production. Additionally, the IVO/ FVO/Ex-C-g-CN composite demonstrates excellent recyclability, maintaining high Cr(VI) removal efficiency over multiple cycles, indicating its reusability and cost-effectiveness. Overall, the exceptional photo(electro) catalytic performance of the IVO/FVO/Ex-C-g-CN dual-Z-scheme heterojunction positions it as a promising candidate for tackling environmental pollution and generating clean energy.
Keywords
Ex-CQDs-g-CN, Photo(electro)chemical, Cr(VI) reduction, water-splitting, InVO4, FeVO4
Divisions
nanotechnology
Funders
National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan (ROC),NSTC (110-2923-E-027-001-MY3),Asia Electronic Material Co., Ltd
Publication Title
Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers
Volume
164
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher Location
RADARWEG 29, 1043 NX AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS