Cooperative biomass-derived furfural synthesis and H2 evolution in one photoredox cycle over a MnxCd1-xS/Ti3C2 MXene Schottky junction structure

Abstract

Selective and efficient photocatalytic transformation of biomass-derived platform molecules to high-value-added fuels or chemicals is a great challenge for green chemistry, especially utilizing visible light energy and earth-abundant catalytic materials. In this work, we report a 1D/2D MnxCd1-xS/Ti3C2 (MCSTC-X) Schottky junction structure to achieve efficient photocharge separation/transfer via in-situ interfacial self-assembly strategy. Under visible light illumination, the optimized MCSTC-7.5 catalyst enables the selective conversion of furfuryl alcohol into furfural with a production rate of 764.3 μmol·g−1·h−1, accompanied by water splitting into H2 with a generation rate of 756.5 μmol·g−1·h−1. Benefiting from the internal electric field in the Schottky junction structure, the efficient separation and transfer of photoinduced charge carriers are realized in one photoredox cycle. Moreover, a plausible reaction mechanism for the photocatalytic selective valorization of furfuryl alcohol to furfural and H2 evolution is proposed. Hopefully, this work would open a new avenue for sustainable and practical production of solar chemicals and fuels by rationally designing 1D/2D Schottky junction.