Fabrication and characterization of Z-scheme BiOCl/C/Cu2O heterojunction nanocomposites as efficient catalysts for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2

The photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to hydrocarbons is expected to simultaneously alleviate the energy crisis and greenhouse effect. Herein, the ternary BiOCl/C/Cu2O catalysts with different mass ratios were compounded using a simple hydrothermal method, revealing better photocatalytic activity than the monomer. In the absence of sacrificial agents and photosensitizers, 25% BiOCl/C/Cu2O showed optimal photocatalytic performance. The CO and CH4 yields over 25% BiOCl/C/Cu2O reached 26.77 and 9.86 mu mol g(-1) h(-1), which is 2.9 and 8.7 times higher than that of the pristine Cu2O, respectively. The ameliorative activity can be attributed to the construction of the Z-scheme heterostructure and carbon layer, which are conducive to the transfer and separation of photogenerated carriers. This study offers valuable references for the design and investigation of a Z-scheme heterojunction using a carbon layer as an electron transfer medium.

Automated summary

Ternary BiOCl/C/Cu2O catalysts with different mass ratios were synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method and exhibited better photocatalytic activity than the monomer. The 25% BiOCl/C/Cu2O catalyst showed optimal performance with CO and CH4 yields 2.9 and 8.7 times higher than pristine Cu2O, respectively. This improvement can be attributed to the Z-scheme heterostructure and carbon layer, facilitating the transfer and separation of photogenerated carriers. This study provides valuable references for the design and investigation of Z-scheme heterojunctions using carbon layer as an electron transfer medium.