Broad-spectrum hybrid-driven triple-interface Z-Scheme 1T/2H phase sailboat-like molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)/protonated N-defect nanoporous graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets piezo-photocatalyst: Superior degradation and hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Incorporating piezo-response into photocatalysis holds great promise for eco-friendly strategies in environmental remediation and sustainable energy conversion. Herein, flexible N-defect nanoporous g-C3N4 nanosheets (NPCNs) was prepared via one-step method, then whose surface was protonated. And existed dense 1T/2H phase and vertical interfaces in non-layer-dependent-piezo-response sailboat-like-MoS2 (Sv-MS) formed by in-situ stresses during nucleation and growth by experiments and MD-simulations. Noble-metal-free Z-scheme PC/VM heterojunction with broad-spectrum absorption, enhanced piezo-response and intimate triple-interface was established by electrostatic self-assembly, performing efficient hybrid-driven piezo-photocatalysis. With a systematic modification of morphology, grain size, phase composition, and surface condition of the components, the optimal PC(3.6H)/VM(u2) exhibited high piezo-photocatalytic rates for degradation of organic dyes and antibiotic (RhB (0.565 min-1), MO (0.052 min-1), MB (1.557 min-1), TC (0.062 min-1)) and hydrogen evolution (3528 μmolg-1h-1) under visible-light and ultrasonic-wave, with maintenance under NIR-light (λmax = 1000 nm) attributed to up-conversion effect (RhB: 0.212 min-1, H2: 2355 μmolg-1h-1). Furthermore, the piezo-photocatalytic mechanism was proposed by experiments and DFT-calculations for effective triple-interface Z-Scheme charge migration. This work provides a rational protocol for constructing diverse-energy-triggered, multiple-interfaces and broad-solar-spectrum (UV–Vis-NIR) piezo-photocatalysts in degradation and hydrogen evolution.