Integration of multi-strategy modifications in an Au cocatalyst-loaded 2D/2D BiVO4/P-doped g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction

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Mimicking nature to fulfill the artificial conversion of CO2 and H2O into solar fuels is an appealing tactic to alleviate energy scarcity and environmental concerns. However, obstacles such as inferior charge separation and light absorption of semiconductors, complex water dissociation, and high CO2 activation energy barrier, immensely restrict photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity. Herein, multi-strategy modifications including element doping, 2D/2D Z-scheme heterojunction construction, and cocatalyst loading, were integrated into an Au-loaded BiVO4/P-doped g-C3N4 composite (Au-BVO/P-CN), which help the photocatalytic system to achieve superior visible light harvest, eminent charge separation, and robust redox capacity. The optimal Au-BVO/P-CN manifests eminent visible light photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity with a CO yield of 20.87 µmol g−1 h−1. The Z-scheme mechanism in Au-BVO/P-CN is verified by the improved photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity and free radical capture experiments. The progressively generated *COOH and *CO intermediatesprobed by in-situ infrared spectroscopy reveal the reason for high CO product selectivity. The synergistic benefits of multi-strategy modifications can inspire future photocatalyst design for efficient solar fuel production.