Zn-P bond induced S-scheme heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic tetracycline degradation synergistic H2 generation

A Zn-P bond oriented black phosphorus/CuInZnS S-scheme heterojunction was successfully constructed for tetracycline (TC) degradation and synergistic H2 generation. An enhanced photocatalytic H2 revolution rate of 2056.0 mu mol/h/g was achieved with triethanolamine (TEOA) as the hole sacrifice agent, which was nearly two times higher than that of CuInZnS (CIZS) and 170 times that of black phosphorus (BP). To further improve the hole utilization rate and reduce the energy consumption, an appropriate amount of TC was added instead of TEOA, and an improved photocatalytic H2 generation rate of 1921.2 mu mol/g was obtained with the synergistic degradation of TC by 82%. The types of heterojunctions and the transfer process of carriers were investigated by the combination of Mott-Schottky curves, Ultraviolet photoelectron spec-troscopy, UV-vis diffuser reflectance spectra, and density functional theory. The results showed that a S -scheme heterojunction is built in BP/CIZS, which maintained the high redox ability of electron-hole pairs based on the successful separation of carriers. In addition, the novel Zn-P bond provided a charge transport channel and catalytic reaction active center upon photocatalysis. The design and application of photo -catalysts proposed in this work offered a new idea for the coordinated resolution of environmental pur-ification and energy conversion problems. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A black phosphorus/CuInZnS heterojunction was constructed for tetracycline degradation and H2 generation. The addition of triethanolamine or tetracycline resulted in enhanced photocatalytic H2 generation rate. The study investigated the heterojunction types and carrier transfer process, revealing the potential mechanisms.