Gradient Cationic Vacancies Enabling Inner-To-Outer Tandem Homojunctions: Strong Local Internal Electric Field and Reformed Basic Sites Boosting CO2 Photoreduction

The slow charge dynamics and large activation energy of CO2 severely hinder the efficiency of CO2 photoreduction. Defect engineering is a well-established strategy, while the function of common zero-dimensional defects is always restricted to promoting surface adsorption. In this work, a gradient layer of tungsten vacancies with a thickness of 3-4 nm is created across Bi2WO6 nanosheets. This gradient layer enables the formation of an inner-to-outer tandem homojunction with an internal electric field, which provides a strong driving force for the migration of photoelectrons from the bulk to the surface. Meanwhile, W vacancies change the coordination environment around O and W atoms, leading to an alteration in the basic sites and the mode of CO2 adsorption from weak/strong adsorption to moderate adsorption, which ultimately decreases the formation barrier of the key intermediate *COOH and facilitates the conversion thermodynamics for CO2. Without any cocatalyst and sacrificial reagent, W-vacant Bi2WO6 shows an outstanding photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance with a CO production rate of 30.62 & mu;mol g(-1) h(-1), being one of the best catalysts in similar reaction systems. This study reveals that gradient vacancies as a new type of defect will show huge potential in regulating charge dynamics and catalytic reaction thermodynamics.

Automated summary

A gradient layer of tungsten vacancies is created on Bi2WO6 nanosheets, forming an inner-to-outer tandem homojunction with an internal electric field that promotes the migration of photoelectrons. The vacancies also change the coordination environment and the mode of CO2 adsorption, which lowers the formation barrier and facilitates the thermodynamics of CO2 conversion. Without cocatalysts or sacrificial reagents, the W-vacant Bi2WO6 demonstrates outstanding photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance, making it one of the best catalysts in similar reaction systems. This study highlights the potential of gradient vacancies in regulating charge dynamics and catalytic reaction thermodynamics.