Z-Scheme 2D/2D Heterojunction of Black Phosphorus/Monolayer Bi2WO6 Nanosheets with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activities

Black phosphorus (BP), a star-shaped two-dimensional material, has attracted considerable attention owing to its unique chemical and physical properties. BP shows great potential in photocatalysis area because of its excellent optical properties; however, its applications in this field have been limited to date. Now, a Z-scheme heterojunction of 2D/2D BP/monolayer Bi2WO6 (MBWO) is fabricated by a simple and effective method. The BP/MBWO heterojunction exhibits enhanced photocatalytic performance in photocatalytic water splitting to produce H-2 and NO removal to purify air; the highest H-2 evolution rate of BP/MBWO is 21042molg(-1), is 9.15 times that of pristine MBWO and the NO removal ratio was as high as 67%. A Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism is proposed based on monitoring of O-.(2)-, (OH)-O-., NO2, and NO3- species in the reaction. This work broadens applications of BP and highlights its promise in the treatment of environmental pollution and renewable energy issues.