Hollow Cu_2-xS@NiFe Layered Double Hydroxide Core-Shell S-Scheme Heterojunctions with Broad-Spectrum Response and...

Designing a reasonable heterojunction is an efficient path to improve the separation of photogenerated charges and enhance photocatalytic activity. In this study, Cu_2-xS@NiFe-LDH hollow nanoboxes with core-shell structure are successfully prepared. The results show that Cu_2-xS@NiFe-LDH with broad-spectrum response has good photothermal and photocatalytic activity, and the photocatalytic activity and stability of the catalyst are enhanced by the establishment of unique hollow structure and core-shell heterojunction structure. Transient PL spectra (TRPL) indicates that constructing Cu_2-xS@NiFe-LDH heterojunction can prolong carrier lifetime obviously. Cu_2-xS@NiFe-LDH shows a high photocatalytic hydrogen production efficiency (5176.93 µmol h^-1 g^-1), and tetracycline degradation efficiency (98.3%), and its hydrogen production rate is ≈10-12 times that of pure Cu_2-xS and NiFe-LDH. In situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron spin resonance (ESR) provide proofs of the S-scheme electron transfer path. The S-scheme heterojunction achieves high spatial charge separation and exhibits strong photoredox ability, thus improving the photocatalytic performance.