S-scheme heterojunction/Schottky junction tandem synergistic effect promotes visible-light-driven catalytic activity

Designing photocatalysts with high light utilization and efficient photogenerated carrier separation for pollutant degradation is one of the important topics for sustainable development, In this study, hierarchical core shell material alpha-Fe2O3@ZnIn2S4 with a step scheme (S-scheme) heterojunction is synthesized by in situ growth technique, and MXene Ti3C2 quantum dots (QDs) are introduced to construct a double-heterojunction tandem mechanism, The photodegradation efficiency of alpha-Fe2O3@ZnIn2S4/Ti3C2 QDs to bisphenol A is 96.1% and its reaction rate constant attained 0.02595 min(-1), which is 12.3 times that of pure alpha-Fe2O3. Meanwhile, a series of characterizations analyze the reasons for the enhanced photocatalytic activity, and the charge transport path of the S-scheme heterojunction/Schottky junction tandem is investigated. The construction of the S-scheme heterojunction enables the photo-generated electrons of alpha-Fe2O3 and the holes of ZnIn2S4 to transfer and combine under the action of the reverse built-in electric field. Due to the metallic conductivity of Ti3C2 QDs, the photogenerated electrons of ZnIn2S4 are further transferred to Ti3C2 QDs to form a Schottky junction, which in turn forms a double-heterojunction tandem mechanism, showing a remarkable charge separation efficiency. This work provides a new opinion for the construction of tandem double heterojunctions to degrade harmful pollutants.

Automated summary

Designing photocatalysts with high light utilization and efficient photogenerated carrier separation is crucial for pollutant degradation. In this study, a hierarchical core shell material alpha-Fe2O3@ZnIn2S4 with a tandem heterojunction mechanism and MXene Ti3C2 quantum dots (QDs) was synthesized. The alpha-Fe2O3@ZnIn2S4/Ti3C2 QDs exhibited significantly higher photodegradation efficiency compared to pure alpha-Fe2O3. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the S-scheme heterojunction and Schottky junction tandem, which facilitated charge separation. This study provides a new approach for the construction of tandem double heterojunctions for pollutant degradation.