Band modulation and interfacial engineering to generate efficient visible-light-induced bi-functional photocatalysts
Qingfeng Hua1, Xin Zhou2, Bingsen Zhang3, Min Wang1, Jing Liu1, Yongzhao Wang3, Luhua Jiang1
1 Nanomaterials & Electrocatalysis Laboratory, College of Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, 53 Zhengzhou Road, Qingdao 266042, P.R. China. 2 College of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Dalian University, 10 Xuefu Street, Dalian Economic Technological Development Zone, Dalian 116622, P. R. China. 3 Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, P.R. China.
Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to L.J. (email: luhuajiang@qust.edu.cn)
Abstract: To construct photocatalysts with matched band alignments and intimate interfaces is crucial but challengeable for photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, we for the first time report a strategy for band modulation and interface engineering to generate an efficient bifunctional photocatalyst. By interstitially doping P into the matrix of g-C3N4 and quantizing CoP, the newly fabricated CoPQD/P-g-C3N4 hybrid forms a Type-II heterojunction with intimate interfaces via the in-situ generated Co-P bonds at the interface. CoPQD/P-g-C3N4 as a noble-metal free bifunctional photocatalyst displays excellent photocatalytic redox efficiency for both hydrogen generation from water and pollutant degradation under visible light. Combining experimental with theoretical investigation, it is manifested that the matched band alignments of the CoPQD/P-g-C3N4 heterojunction and the intimate interface via the Co-P interfacial bonds facilitate the photogenerated charge separation/transfer and meanwhile guarantee long-term stability. This work addresses the importance of band alignments and heterojunction interface, and presents an effective strategy for band modulation and interface engineering of noble-metal free photocatalysts.
doi: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b07252
