Rationally designed Ta3N5/ZnO Core-shell nanofibers for significantly boosts photocatalytic hydrogen production

The rational design of novel and efficient heterojunction photocatalysts is recognized as one of the significant challenges for achieving highly efficient solar-to-chemical energy conversion. Herein, we report a novel Ta3N5/ ZnO core-shell nanofibers heterojunction photocatalyst for boosting photocatalytic H2 evolution activity through the combining of electrospinning and ALD process. Based on the combined strategies of nanostructure engi-neering and heterojunction, the enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ta3N5/ZnO hybrid sample is attributed to the synergistic effects of increased reaction sites and improved charge transfer. The optimized Ta3N5/ZnO-150 core-shell nanofibers heterojunction photocatalyst exhibited the highest photocatalytic hydrogen production activity of 1193.75 mu mol g-1 h-1, which is about 7 times higher than the bare Ta3N5 nanofibers, and also superior to the most of Ta3N5-based photocatalysts ever reported.

Automated summary

We report a novel Ta3N5/ZnO core-shell nanofiber heterojunction photocatalyst for enhancing photocatalytic H2 evolution activity. The improved photocatalytic activity is attributed to the synergistic effects of increased reaction sites and improved charge transfer. The optimized Ta3N5/ZnO-150 core-shell nanofiber heterojunction photocatalyst exhibits the highest photocatalytic hydrogen production activity, which is about 7 times higher than bare Ta3N5 nanofibers and superior to most reported Ta3N5-based photocatalysts.