Light-Induced Dynamic Stability of Oxygen Vacancies in BiSbO4 for Efficient Photocatalytic Formaldehyde Degradation

Defect engineering has been regarded as a versatile strategy to maneuver the photocatalytic activity. However, there are a few studies concerning how to maintain the stability of defects, which is important to ensure sustainable photocatalytic performance. Here, a novel strategy to modulate the structural properties of BiSbO4 using light-induced dynamic oxygen vacancies is reported by us for efficient and stable photocatalytic oxidation of formaldehyde. Interestingly, the continuous consumption and replenishment of vacancies (namely dynamic vacancies) ensure the dynamic stability of oxygen vacancies, thus guaranteeing the excellent photocatalytic stability. The oxygen vacancies could also accelerate the electron migration, inhibit the photogenerated electron/hole recombination, widen the light absorption spectra, and thus improve the photocatalytic formaldehyde removal performance. Combined with the results of in situ DRIFTS, the reaction mechanism for each step of formaldehyde oxidation is revealed. As supported by DFT calculation of Gibbs free energy, the introduction of oxygen vacancies into BiSbO4 can promote spontaneous process of formaldehyde oxidation. Our work highlights a promising approach for stabilizing the defects and proposes the photocatalytic reaction mechanism in combination with the thermodynamic functions.

Automated summary

Defect engineering is an important strategy in photocatalysis, and maintaining the stability of defects is crucial for sustainable performance. A novel approach utilizing light-induced dynamic oxygen vacancies in BiSbO4 has been developed for efficient and stable photocatalytic oxidation of formaldehyde. The dynamic stability of oxygen vacancies ensures excellent photocatalytic performance, with additional benefits of enhancing electron migration and suppressing electron/hole recombination.