Cocatalyst Embedded Ce-BDC-CeO₂ S-Scheme Heterojunction Hollowed-Out Octahedrons With Rich Defects for Efficient CO₂...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Heterojunction photocatalysts are crucial for efficient CO2 photoreduction.
• Optimizing architecture and components enhances photogenerated carrier separation, light absorption, and CO2 adsorption.
• Developing novel catalysts is key to addressing environmental challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize defect-rich photocatalysts with an S-scheme heterojunction and hollow octahedral architecture.
• To investigate the enhanced CO2 photoreduction performance of the designed photocatalyst.
• To elucidate the charge transfer mechanism and reaction pathway.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of Ni2P@Ce-BDC-CeO2 HOOs via decomposition and lactic acid etching.
• Characterization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning Kelvin probe, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy.
• In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to detect intermediate species.

Main Results:

• Simultaneous formation of hollowed-out octahedral architecture with multistage pores and oxygen vacancy defects.
• S-scheme heterojunction facilitated rapid charge transfer and separation.
• Achieved a CO yield of 61.6 µmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹, four times higher than the original Ce-BDC octahedrons.
• Confirmed S-schematic charge transfer route and reaction mechanism.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized Ni2P@Ce-BDC-CeO2 HOOs exhibit excellent CO2 photoreduction performance.
• The hollowed-out architecture and S-scheme heterojunction are vital for enhanced catalytic activity.
• This work provides a promising synthetic strategy for advanced photocatalysts in CO2 conversion.