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Regulating Surface Energetics via Hetero-Interfacial Charge Transfer for Selective Photocatalytic Glycerol Oxidation
Songying Qu1,2, Donghui Li3, Mingcong Wang4
1Macau University of Science and Technology Zhuhai MUST Science and Technology Research Institute, Zhuhai, People's Republic of China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|July 24, 2026
Summary
Incorporating carbon nanotubes into a ZnIn2S4/BiVO4 heterojunction enhances photocatalytic selectivity for glycerol oxidation. This modification improves glyceraldehyde yield and selectivity by optimizing charge transfer and surface energetics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Photocatalytic (PC) activity is often enhanced by improving charge separation.
- The link between internal charge transfer and PC selectivity remains unclear due to challenges in studying surface catalysis origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dependence of PC selectivity on internal charge transfer.
- To elucidate the role of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as electron mediators in a ZnIn2S4/BiVO4 heterojunction for glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR).
Main Methods:
- Utilized transient absorption spectroscopy to study charge transfer dynamics.
- Employed photoexcited electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy to analyze surface charge distribution.
- Applied operando transient-state photovoltage spectroscopy to confirm glycerol activation.
Main Results:
- CNTs incorporation promoted hetero-interfacial charge transfer in the ZnIn2S4/BiVO4 heterojunction.
- Surface hole distribution shifted, favoring glycerol oxidation and enhancing glyceraldehyde generation.
- Optimized internal charge transfer led to a hole-rich surface, promoting hydroxyl species adsorption.
Conclusions:
- Established a connection between internal charge transfer and photocatalytic selectivity.
- Demonstrated that CNT modification significantly enhances glyceraldehyde yield (6.2-fold) and selectivity (78.6%).
- Provided new insights into adjusting PC selectivity through surface energetics and charge dynamics.
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