Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution coupled with benzaldehyde production over 0D Cd0.5Zn0.5S/2D Ti3C2 Schottky heterojunction

Converting water into hydrogen fuel and oxidizing benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde simultaneously under visible light illumination is of great significance, but the fast recombination of photogenerated carriers in photocatalysts seriously decreases the conversion efficiency. Herein, a novel dual-functional 0D Cd0.5Zn0.5S/2D Ti3C2 hybrid was fabricated by a solvothermally in-situ generated assembling method. The Cd0.5Zn0.5S nano-spheres with a fluffy surface completely and uniformly covered the ultrathin Ti3C2 nanosheets, leading to the increased Schottky barrier (SB) sites due to a large contact area, which could accelerate the electron-hole separation and improve the light utilization. The optimized Cd0.5Zn0.5S/Ti3C2 hybrid simultaneously presents a hydrogen evolution rate of 5.3 mmol/(g.h) and a benzaldehyde production rate of 29.3 mmol/(g.h), which are similar to 3.2 and 2 times higher than those of pristine Cd0.5Zn0.5S, respectively. Both the multiple experimental measurements and the density functional theory (DFT) calculations further demonstrate the tight connection between Cd0.5Zn0.5S and Ti3C2, formation of Schottky junction, and efficient photogenerated electron-hole separation. This paper suggests a dual-functional composite catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and benzaldehyde production, and provides a new strategy for preventing the photogenerated electrons and holes from recombining by constructing a 0D/2D heterojunction with increased SB sites.

Automated summary

The novel dual-functional 0D Cd0.5Zn0.5S/2D Ti3C2 hybrid was fabricated to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency for simultaneous water-to-hydrogen conversion and benzyl alcohol-to-benzaldehyde oxidation under visible light illumination. By increasing the contact area and forming Schottky barrier (SB) sites, the hybrid showed improved electron-hole separation and light utilization. Experimental measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations supported the efficient performance of the hybrid catalyst in hydrogen evolution and benzaldehyde production.