2D/2D Black Phosphorus/g-C3N4 S-Scheme Heterojunction Photocatalysts for CO2 Reduction Investigated using DFT Calculations

Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to hydrocarbon compounds is a promising method for addressing energy shortages and environmental pollution. Considerable efforts have been devoted to exploring valid strategies to enhance photocatalytic efficiency. Among various modification methods, the hybridization of different photocatalysts is effective for addressing the shortcomings of a single photocatalyst and enhancing its CO2 reduction performance. In addition, metal-free materials such as g-C3N4 and black phosphorus (BP) are attractive because of their unique structures and electronic properties. Many experimental results have verified the superior photocatalytic activity of a BP/g-C3N4 composite. However, theoretical understanding of the intrinsic mechanism of the activity enhancement is still lacking. Herein, the geometric structures, optical absorption, electronic properties, and CO2 reduction reaction processes of 2D/2D BP/g-C3N4 composite models are investigated using density functional theory calculations. The composite model consists of a monolayer of BP and a tri-s-triazine-based monolayer of g-C3N4. Based on the calculated work function, it is inferred that electrons transfer from g-C3N4 to BP owing to the higher Fermi level of g-C3N4 compared with that of BP. Furthermore, the charge density difference suggests the formation of a built-in electric field at the interface, which is conducive to the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The optical absorption coefficient demonstrates that the light absorption of the composite is significantly higher than that of its singlecomponent counterpart. Integrated analysis of the band edge potential and interfacial electronic interaction indicates that the migration of photogenerated charge carriers in the BP/g-C3N4 hybrid follows the S-scheme photocatalytic mechanism. Under visible-light irradiation, the photogenerated electrons on BP recombine with the photogenerated holes on g-C3N4, leaving photogenerated electrons and holes in the conduction band of g-C3N4 and the valence band of BP, respectively. Compared with pristine g-C3N4, this S-scheme heterojunction allows efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers while effectively preserving strong redox abilities. Additionally, the possible reaction path for CO2 reduction on g-C3N4 and BP/g-C3N4 is discussed by computing the free energy of each step. It was found that CO2 reduction on the composite occurs most readily on the g-C3N4 side. The reaction path on the composite is different from that on g-C3N4. The heterojunction reduces the maximum energy barrier for CO2 reduction from 1.48 to 1.22 eV, following the optimal reaction path. Consequently, the BP/g-C3N4 heterojunction is theoretically proven to be an excellent CO2 reduction photocatalyst. This work is helpful for understanding the effect of BP modification on the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4. It also provides a theoretical basis for the design of other high-performance CO2 reduction photocatalysts.

Automated summary

The hybridization of different photocatalysts, such as BP and g-C3N4, has been shown to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency for CO2 reduction. Theoretical calculations indicate that electrons transfer from g-C3N4 to BP due to the built-in electric field at the interface, leading to efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers. The S-scheme heterojunction between BP and g-C3N4 allows for the optimized reduction of CO2, making the BP/g-C3N4 composite a promising CO2 reduction photocatalyst.