Constructing S-scheme Co3O4-C3N4 catalyst with superior photoelectrocatalytic efficiency for water purification

Choosing satisfactory semiconductor materials as photoanode to promote the production of intermediate active species (hydroxyl radical and superoxide radicals) is a challenging problem for the decomposition of refractory organic from wastewater. Herein, Co3O4-C3N4 heterogeneous photoanode (a two-dimensional gamma-C3N4 is coated on one-dimensional Co3O4 nanowire) was fabricated using a simple impregnation-heating treatment process. By optimizing the amount of gamma-C3N4, the Co3O4-C3N4-10 catalyst has been systematically investigated by experimental and theoretical aspects. The Co3O4-C3N4-10 catalyst exhibits excellent PEC activity for degrading reactive brilliant blue KN-R with a degradation rate of similar to 91.3% owing to its low Tafel slope, numerous active sites, low charge transfer resistance, and PEC synergistic effects. The carrier transfer mechanism of S-scheme for Co3O4-C3N4 heterostructure was proposed because hydroxyl radical (center dot OH) and superoxide anion radical (center dot O2(-)) are the dominant active species, endowing Co3O4-C3N4-10 as promising catalysts for practical application. This work enlightens the rational design of advanced photoanode for water purification and environmental remediation. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a Co3O4-C3N4 heterogeneous photoanode was fabricated using a simple impregnation-heating treatment process. The Co3O4-C3N4-10 catalyst exhibited excellent PEC activity for degrading reactive brilliant blue KN-R, making it a promising catalyst for practical application in water purification and environmental remediation.