Interface engineered Co₃O₄-BiVO₄ binary S-scheme heterostructure with improved topological features for enhanced...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Photocatalysis

Background:

• Developing efficient photocatalysts is crucial for sustainable energy production.
• Heterojunction engineering offers a promising route to enhance photocatalytic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel 1D-2D Co3O4-BiVO4 heterojunctions.
• To investigate their optoelectronic properties and photocatalytic activity for H2 production and N2 reduction.
• To elucidate the charge transfer mechanism responsible for enhanced performance.

Main Methods:

• Urea-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of Co3O4 and BiVO4.
• Fabrication of Co3O4-BiVO4 (COxBVO) 1D-2D heterojunctions.
• Structural and surface characterization using XRD, XPS, ESR, and O2 TPD.
• Optoelectronic property evaluation and photocatalytic activity testing.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized COxBVO heterojunctions with distinct nanorod-on-plate morphology.
• Confirmed the formation of oxygen-deficient p-n heterojunctions with improved visible light response and charge mobility.
• Achieved high photocatalytic activity for H2 production (4260 μmolg-1h-1) and N2 reduction (232.8 μmol g-1h-1), 5-7 times higher than pure components.
• Identified an S-scheme charge transfer mechanism.

Conclusions:

• The 1D-2D COxBVO heterojunction structure, combined with oxygen vacancies, significantly enhances photocatalytic efficiency.
• The S-scheme mechanism facilitates rapid charge separation and utilization.
• This work demonstrates a viable strategy for designing advanced photocatalysts for energy and chemical applications.