Interfacial Electric Field Research Articles

Reconfiguring the Electrolyte Network Structure with Bio‐Inspired Cryoprotective Additive for Low‐Temperature Aqueous Zinc Batteries

AbstractDespite promising performance at ambient temperature, the development of aqueous zinc batteries is jeopardized by the freeze of aqueous electrolytes and deteriorative electrode‐electrolyte interphase at low temperatures. Herein, inspired by the cryoprotective mechanism of extracellular polysaccharides in biological organisms, a quaternized galactomannan polysaccharide (q‐GPA) is proposed as a cryoprotective additive for improving low‐temperature performance of aqueous zinc batteries. Mechanistic studies revealed that a multi‐hydroxyl galactomannan backbone can substantially attenuate the activity of water molecules through the reconfiguration of the hydrogen bond network, which inhibits ice crystal formation at subzero temperatures and thus depress the freezing point of the electrolyte. Meanwhile, the quaternary ammonium groups tethered on the q‐GPA skeleton are intended to neutralize the interfacial electric field through electrostatic repulsion, thereby accelerating Zn2+ deposition kinetics and prohibiting zinc dendrite growth. Impressively, the q‐GPA–modified electrolyte enables an extended lifespan of over 1700 h in Zn||Zn symmetric battery at a high current density of 3 mA cm−2 and an ultralong cycle life of 5000 cycles with a capacity retention of 99.2% in the Zn||Na2V6O16·1.5H2O (NVO) full battery at −30 °C. This work provides unprecedented possibilities for optimizing the electrolyte formulation of low‐temperature aqueous batteries.

Enhanced piezocatalytic and piezo-photocatalytic dye degradation via S-scheme mechanism with photodeposited nickel oxide nanoparticles on PbBiO2Br nanosheets

The fabrication of an S-scheme heterojunction demonstrates as an efficient strategy for achieving efficient charge separation and enhancing catalytic activity of piezocatalysts. In this study, a new S-scheme heterojunction was fabricated on the PbBiO2Br surface through the photo-deposition of NiO nanoparticles. It was then employed in the piezoelectric catalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The results demonstrate that the NiO/PbBiO2Br composite exhibits efficient performance in piezocatalytic RhB degradation. The optimal sample is the NiO/PbBiO2Br synthesized after 2 h of irradiation, achieving a RhB degradation rate of 3.11 h−1, which is 12.4 times higher than that of pure PbBiO2Br. Simultaneous exposure to visible light and ultrasound further increases in the RhB degradation rate, reaching 4.60 h−1, highlighting the synergistic effect of light and piezoelectricity in the NiO/PbBiO2Br composite. A comprehensive exploration of the charge migration mechanism at the NiO/PbBiO2Br heterojunction was undertaken through electrochemical analyses, theoretical calculations, and in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The outcomes reveal that p-type semiconductor NiO and n-type semiconductor PbBiO2Br possess matching band structures, establishing an S-scheme heterojunction structure at their interface. Under the combined effects of band bending, interface electric fields, and Coulomb attraction, electrons and holes migrate and accumulate on the conduction band of PbBiO2Br and valence band of NiO, respectively, thereby achieving effective spatial separation of charge carriers. The catalyst’s synergistic photo-piezoelectric catalysis effect can be ascribed to its role in promoting the generation and separation of charge carriers under both light irradiation and the piezoelectric field. The results of this investigation offer valuable insights into the development and production of catalytic materials that exhibit outstanding performance through the synergy of piezocatalysis and photocatalysis.

Synergistic Engineering of Energy Band Alignment and Interfacial Electric Field Distribution over Bi-bismuth-Based Hetero-nanofibers for Boosting Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Ammonia Synthesis and Antibiotic Removal.

Synergistic engineering of energy band alignment and interfacial electric field distribution is essential for photocatalyst design but is still challenging because of the limitation on refined regulation in the nanoscale. This study addresses the issue by employing surface modification and thermal-induced phase transformation in Bi2MoO6/BixOyIz hetero-nanofiber frameworks. The energy band alignment switches from a type-II interface to a Z-scheme contact with stronger redox potentials and inhibited electron traps, and the optimized built-in electric field distribution could be reached based on experimental and theoretical investigations. The engineered hetero-nanofibers exhibit outstanding visible-light-driven photocatalytic nitrogen reduction activity (605 μmol/g/h) and tetracycline hydrochloride removal rate (81.5% within 30 min), ranking them among the top-performing bismuth series materials. Furthermore, the photocatalysts show promise in activating advanced oxidants for efficient organic pollutant degradation. Moreover, the Bi2MoO6/Bi5O7I hetero-nanofibers possess good recycling stability owing to their three-dimensional network structure. This research offers valuable insights into heterojunction design for environmental remediation and industrial applications.

Tandem Electric-Fields Prolong Energetic Hot Electrons Lifetime for Ultra-Fast and Stable NO2 Detection.

Prolonging energetic hot electrons lifetimes and surface activity in the reactive site can overcome the slow kinetics and unfavorable thermodynamics of photo-activated gas sensors. However, bulk and surface recombination limit the simultaneous optimization of both kinetics and thermodynamics. Here tandem electric fields are deployed at (111)/(100)Au-CeO2 to ensure a sufficient driving force for carrier transfer and elucidate the mechanism of the relationship between charge transport and gas-sensing performance. The asymmetric structure of the (111)/(100)CeO2 facet junction provides interior electric fields, which facilitates electron transfer from the (100)face to the (111)face. This separation of reduction and oxidation reaction sites across different crystal faces helps inhibit surface recombination. The increased electron concentration at the (111)face intensifies the interface electric field, which promotes electron transfer to the Au site. The local electric field generated by the surface plasmon resonance effect promotes the generation of high-energy energy hot-electrons, which maintains charge concentration in the interface field by injecting into (111)/(100)CeO2, thereby provide thermodynamic contributions and inhibit bulk recombination. The tandem electric fields enable the (111)/(100)Au-CeO2 to rapidly detect 5ppm of NO2 at room temperature with stability maintained within 20s.

S-Scheme heterojunction of Cs2SnBr6/C3N4 with interfacial electron exchange toward efficient photocatalytic NO abatement

Photocatalytic technology is of great significance in environmental purification due to its eco-friendly and cost-effective operations. However, low charge-transfer efficiency restricts the photocatalytic activity of the catalyst. Herein, we report Cs2SnBr6/C3N4 composite catalysts that exhibit a robust interfacial electron exchange thereby enhancing photocatalytic nitric oxide (NO) oxidation. A comprehensive study has demonstrated the S-scheme electron transfer mechanism. Benefiting from the interfacial internal electric field, the C-Br bond serves as a direct electron transfer channel, resulting in enhanced charge separation. Furthermore, the S-scheme heterojunction effectively traps high redox potential electrons and holes, leading to the production of abundant reactive oxygen radicals that enhance photocatalytic NO abatement. The NO removal rate of the Cs2SnBr6/C3N4 heterogeneous system can reach 86.8 %, which is approximately 3-fold and 18-fold that of pristine C3N4 and Cs2SnBr6, respectively. The comprehensive understanding of the electron transfer between heterojunction atomic interfaces will provide a novel perspective on efficient environmental photocatalysis.

High-performance zinc metal anode enabled by large-scale integration of superior ion transport layer

Aqueous zinc (Zn) metal battery is regarded as a promising candidate with low cost and high safety for energy storage systems at large scales. However, the destabilized Zn2+ transport at the reaction interface severely restricts the lifespan of zinc anode, and the strategies suitable for large-scale integration of the anode’s protection layer are required. Herein, an independent protective layer of Cu@CuO nanowire arrays is proposed to stabilize zinc anode with comprehensive regulation of Zn2+ transport. Through wet-chemical etching, the nanowire structure with a geometric area of 250 cm2 can be synthesized in one pot. From experimental analysis and simulation results, such a layer not only homogenizes the distribution of interfacial electric field, but also enhances Zn2+ transfer kinetics with improved ionic conductivity and increased transference number. Meanwhile, the activity of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is decreased due to the integration of this unique layer. As a result, the protected zinc anode can be stably operated at 2 mA cm−2/2 mAh cm−2, and the stable current density can further increase to 10 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the protective layer is featured with superior hydrophilicity, and can be feasibly utilized for large-area pouch cells, revealing the scalability and effectiveness in practical devices. This work proposes a facile protection strategy for zinc anode from the perspective of optimizing Zn2+ transport by large-scale integration of superior ion transport layer, showing great potential in high-performance zinc metal anode.

Engineering Built-In Electric Field Microenvironment of CQDs/g-C3N4 Heterojunction for Efficient Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction.

Graphitic carbon nitride (CN), as a nonmetallic photocatalyst, has gained considerable attention for its cost-effectiveness and environmentally friendly nature in catalyzing solar-driven CO2 conversion into valuable products. However, the photocatalytic efficiency of CO2 reduction with CN remains low, accompanied by challenges in achieving desirable product selectivity. To address these limitations, a two-step hydrothermal-calcination tandem synthesis strategy is presented, introducing carbon quantum dots (CQDs) into CN and forming ultra-thin CQD/CN nanosheets. The integration of CQDs induces a distinct work function with CN, creating a robust interface electric field after the combination. This electric field facilitates the accumulation of photoelectrons in the CQDs region, providing an abundant source of reduced electrons for the photocatalytic process. Remarkably, the CQD/CN nanosheets exhibit an average CO yield of 120µmol g-1, showcasing an outstanding CO selectivity of 92.8%. The discovery in the work not only presents an innovative pathway for the development of high-performance photocatalysts grounded in non-metallic CN materials employing CQDs but also opens new avenues for versatile application prospects in environmental protection and sustainable cleaning energy.

Amorphous nitrogen-doped carbon layers forming the interfacial channel for rapid charge transfer in ZnIn2S4/BiVO4 Z-scheme photocatalyst for enhancing organic pollutants degradation with simultaneous hydrogen evolution

Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from the organic wastewater represents an ideal solution for simultaneously addressing energy shortages and environmental pollution. However, the sluggish transport of photogenerated carriers at contact interface poses a key obstacle to enhancing photocatalytic activity. Here, ZnIn2S4/BiVO4@N-C (ZIS/BVO@N-C) Z-scheme photocatalysts were successfully constructed by a simple hydrothermal-impregnation method. ZIS/BVO@N-C-10% demonstrated outstanding photocatalytic performance, achieving a hydrogen evolution rate of 2695.68 μmol·g−1·h−1 and a degradation rate of 492.96 mmol·g−1·h−1 under visible light, surpassing those of ZIS (851.52 μmol·g−1·h−1 and 174.83 mmol·g−1·h−1) and ZIS/BVO-10% (1228.98 μmol·g−1·h−1 and 277.78 mmol·g−1·h−1). Characterization results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the introduction of the N-C layer reduced interfacial impedance and enhanced the strength of interfacial electric field, overcoming the interfacial barrier and improving the photogenerated separation and migration efficiency at the interface, and ultimately enhancing the photocatalytic activity of ZIS/BVO@N-C. Based on experimental and characterization results, the photocatalytic mechanism of ZIS/BVO@N-C Z-scheme has been proposed. Furthermore, ZIS/BVO@N-C exhibited excellent stability, highlighting its potential for practical applications. This work also presents a new strategy for designing highly active Z-scheme photocatalysts for organic wastewater treatment and simultaneous hydrogen energy recovery.

P-doped ultrathin g-C3N4/In2S3 S-scheme heterojunction enhances photocatalytic hydrogen production and degradation of ofloxacin

In this work, ultrathin lamellar g-C3N4/In2S3 S-scheme heterojunctions doped with P were synthesized by urea recrystallization and investigated to see which ratio was more favorable for photocatalysis. The P doping formed a new Fermi energy level and reduced the forbidden bandwidth. The ultrathin lamellar structure facilitated rapid charge transfer, and the formation of S-scheme heterojunction, the presence of the interfacial electric field, and band bending effectively separated strong redox-capable electron-hole pairs, thus significantly improving the photocatalytic performance. Among the prepared materials, the 50UP-C3N4/In2S3 photocatalyst with 50 % UP-C3N4 mass fraction showed optimal photocatalytic H2 production performance, with a hydrogen production rate of 12,387 μmol h−1 g−1. Moreover, it showed good performance in photocatalytic degradation, with a degradation efficiency of up to 90.2 % of ofloxacin after 120 min of light exposure. This article provided a new perspective on the synthesis of other photocatalysts with carbazide-based S-scheme heterojunction structures.

Oriented‐Electrochemical Etching of Zn Crystal Edges in Deep Eutectic Solvent for Enhancing Stability and Reversibility of Zn Anodes

AbstractMetal Zn anode encounters uncontrolled dendrite growth, resulting in poor cycling stability and low coulombic efficiency (CE). Herein, a novel approach for oriented‐electrochemical etching of Zn (ECE‐Zn) in deep eutectic solvent (DES) is presented to adjust the interface concentration and electric fields, effectively mitigating intractable issues. The oriented etches off the crystal edges between the (002), (100), and (101) principal crystal planes of commercial Zn foil, subsequently etches the (100) and (101) crystal planes, resulting in the formation well‐organized Zn columns. Comprehensive experimental investigations and theoretical analyses reveal that Zn ions directionally nucleate and grow between Zn columns, enabling epitaxial growth at the (002) crystal plane. The ECE‐Zn‐2 anodes demonstrate remarkable stability, along with low nucleation and polarization voltages. Specifically, the symmetric ECE‐Zn‐2 cells show sustained operation for 5400 h, and long‐term 10 000 cycles at 40 mA cm−2. More significantly, the asymmetric cells exhibit an average CE as high as 99.92% over 6000 cycles at 5.0 mA cm−2. When assembled with a V2O5 cathode, a high retention of 81.5% can be maintained even under severe condition (N/P ratio of 7.35). This strategy of oriented‐electrochemical etching for commercial Zn opens up a new pathway for dendrite‐free Zn metal anode.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of oxygen vacancy modulation interfacial electric field in S-scheme heterojunction VO/BiVO4-TiO2 and its mechanism

Constructing heterojunction photocatalysts is a promising way to efficiently degrade organic pollutants, while its application is constrained by slow interfacial dynamics. Reported herein is an easy strategy to construct S-scheme heterojunction between BiVO4 with oxygen vacancies (VO) and TiO2. The Vo/BiVO4-TiO2 heterojunction exhibited excellent efficiency in degrading Levofloxacin (LVFX) (99.21 % degradation within 90 min) and significantly enhanced degradation kinetic (4.03 × 10-2min−1), which was 2.6 times than BiVO4-TiO2 (1.53 × 10-2min−1). The mechanism lies in the fact that the introduction of VO into BiVO4 produces impurity bands that reduce its work function, which increases the difference in Fermi energy levels of the heterojunction and, in turn, enhances the Interfacial Electric Field. Based on the experimental and theoretical simulations results, the charge transfer path at the interface of Vo/BiVO4-TiO2 was elucidate. This work reveals the microscopic mechanism of electric field enhancement at heterojunction interface and provides new insights for designing efficient heterojunction photocatalysts.

The interfacial electric field enhanced piezo-catalytic performance of Bi2S3/Ni/CN composites for peroxymonosulfate activation advanced oxidation processes (AOP) systems

The interfacial electric field of Bi2S3/Ni/CN composites has been found to enhance the piezo-catalytic performance in peroxymonosulfate activation for advanced oxidation processes (AOP) systems. This novel research field aims to strengthen AOP systems for pollutant control and degradation through the utilization of the piezo-catalysis. In this particular study, a hammer coral-like Bi2S3/Ni/CN composite with interfacial electric field was synthesized by incorporating bismuth sulfide into the Ni/CN matrix. The efficient separation of piezoelectric carriers and charge transfer between nickel and bismuth in the resulting Bi2S3/Ni/CN composite facilitate a synergistic effect in the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). It has been observed that, when subjected to ultrasound, this composite can achieve a degradation rate exceeding 90% within a minute towards Rh B as a model dye. Notably, the degradation process is primarily driven by piezoelectric hole and mono-linear oxygen non-free radicals. Additionally, the interfacial electric field facilitates valence electron transfer and ultimately enhancing reaction efficiency. Experimental results further demonstrate that the removal efficiency of organic pollutants can surpass 98% within a pH range of 1–9 over a duration of 3 min, demonstrating wide pH response range and high catalytic activities.

Constructing hierarchical MoS2/WS2 heterostructures in dual carbon layer for enhanced sodium ions batteries performance

The escalating global demand for clean energy has spurred substantial interest in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) as a promising solution for large-scale energy storage systems. However, the insufficient reaction kinetics and considerable volume changes inherent to anode materials present significant hurdles to enhancing the electrochemical performance of SIBs. In this study, hierarchical MoS2/WS2 heterostructures were constructed into dual carbon layers (HC@MoS2/WS2@NC) and assessed their suitability as anodes for SIBs. The internal hard carbon core (HC) and outer nitrogen-doped carbon shell (NC) effectively anchor MoS2/WS2, thereby significantly improving its structural stability. Moreover, the conductive carbon components expedite electron transport during charge–discharge processes. Critically, the intelligently engineered interface between MoS2 and WS2 modulates the interfacial energy barrier and electric field distribution, promoting faster ion transport rates. Capitalizing on these advantageous features, the HC@MoS2/WS2@NC nanocomposite exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance when utilized as an anode in SIBs. Specifically, it delivers a high capacity of 415 mAh/g at a current density of 0.2 A/g after 100 cycles. At a larger current density of 2 A/g, it maintains a commendable capacity of 333 mAh/g even after 1000 cycles. Additionally, when integrated into a full battery configuration with a Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode, the Na3V2(PO4)3//HC@MoS2/WS2@NC full cell delivers a high capacity of 120 mAh/g after 300 cycles at 1 A/g. This work emphasizes the substantial improvement in battery performance that can be attained through the implementation of dual carbon confinement, offering a constructive approach to guide the design and development of next-generation anode materials for SIBs.

Revealing hidden spin polarization in centrosymmetric van der Waals materials on ultrafast timescales

One of the key challenges for spintronic and quantum technologies is to achieve active control of the spin angular momentum of electrons in nanoscale materials on ultrafast, femtosecond timescales. While conventional ferromagnetic materials and materials supporting spin texture suffer both from conceptional limitations in miniaturization and inefficiency of optical and electronic manipulation, non-magnetic centrosymmetric layered materials with hidden spin polarization may offer an alternative pathway to manipulate the spin degree of freedom by external stimuli. Here we demonstrate an approach for generating transient spin polarization on a femtosecond timescale in the otherwise spin-unpolarized band structure of the centrosymmetric 2H-stacked group VI transition metal dichalcogenide WSe2. Using ultrafast optical excitation of a fullerene layer grown on top of WSe2, we trigger an ultrafast interlayer electron transfer from the fullerene layer into the WSe2 crystal. The resulting transient charging of the C60/WSe2 interface leads to a substantial interfacial electric field that by means of spin-layer-valley locking ultimately creates ultrafast spin polarization without the need of an external magnetic field. Our findings open a novel pathway for true optical engineering of spin functionalities such as the sub-picosecond generation and manipulation of ultrafast spin currents in 2D heterostructures.

Uncovering the cation effects on the electroreduction of CO2 on Pd/C catalysts − an SEIRAS study

Electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction reaction (CO2RR) has long been known to be affected by the electrolyte cations, yet the interpretations of these effects remain controversial. In this work, taking advantage of the unique catalytic characteristics of Pd, we investigated the cation effects on the CO2RR. It was found that the productions of formate and carbon monoxide (CO) are accelerated, and the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is suppressed on Pd surfaces by larger cations. Detailed ATR-SEIRAS measurements revealed the promotion of CO2RR comes from two aspects. First, the CO2 molecules can be concentrated at the electrode–electrolyte interface by larger cations through electrostatic interaction. Second, a stronger interfacial electric field brought by the larger cations can accelerate the CO2RR and stabilize the negatively charged intermediates. The potential-dependent spectral transitions of adsorbed CO and interfacial water shed new light on the cation-dependent electric double layer structures. In light of these findings, the cation effects on the formate and CO pathways at different overpotentials were further revealed.

Boosting zinc anode durability through synergistic inner Helmholtz plane and interfacial electric field regulation

Boosting zinc anode durability through synergistic inner Helmholtz plane and interfacial electric field regulation

Constructing Interfacial Charge Transfer Channels and Electric Field in Violet Phosphorus-Based van der Waals Heterojunction for Phototherapy of Periodontitis.

Periodontitis, a chronic oral disease instigated by bacteria, severely compromises human oral health. The prevailing clinical treatment for periodontitis involves mechanical scraping in conjunction with antibiotics. Phototherapy is employed to rapidly remove the bacteria and achieve periodontitis treatment, effectively circumventing the adverse effects associated with traditional therapies. Constructing 2D/2D van der Waals (VDW) heterojunctions is a key strategy for obtaining excellent photocatalytic activity. Herein, a 2D/2D violet phosphorus (VP)/Ti3C2 VDW heterojunction is designed using an interfacial engineering strategy. By constructing an electron transport "bridge" (P-Ti bond) at the heterogeneous interface as an effective transfer channel for photogenerated carriers, a compact monolithic structure between the VP and Ti3C2 phases is formed, and the spatial barrier for electron transfer at the interface is eliminated. Meanwhile, the strong directional built-in electric field induced by the intensive electron-coupling effect at the heterogeneous interface served as an internal driving force, which greatly accelerates the exciton dissociation and charge transfer in the photocatalytic process. These excited photogenerated electrons and holes are trapped by O2 and H2O on the surfaces of Ti3C2 and VP, respectively, and are subsequently catalytically converted to antibacterial reactive oxygen species (ROS). The VP/Ti3C2 VDW heterojunction eradicated 97.5% and 98.48% of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively, by photocatalytic and photothermal effects under visible light for 10 min. The VP/Ti3C2 nanoperiodontal dressing ointment effectively attenuated inflammatory response, reduced alveolar bone resorption, and promoted periodontal soft and hard tissue repair. Its periodontitis therapeutic effect outperforms the clinically used Periocline.

Organic-Inorganic Heterointerface-Expediting Electron Transfer Realizes Efficient Plasmonic Catalytic Sterilization via a Carbon-Dot Nanozyme.

Plasmonic nanozymes bring enticing prospects for catalytic sterilization by leveraging plasmon-engendered hot electrons. However, the interface between plasmons and nanozymes as the mandatory path of hot electrons receives little attention, and the mechanisms of plasmonic nanozymes still remain to be elucidated. Herein, a plasmonic carbon-dot nanozyme (FeCG) is developed by electrostatically assembling catalytic iron-doped carbon dots (Fe-CDs) with plasmonic gold nanorods. The energy harvesting and hot-electron migration are remarkably expedited by a spontaneous organic-inorganic heterointerface holding a Fermi level-induced interfacial electric field. The accumulated hot electrons are then fully utilized by conductive Fe-CDs to boost enzymatic catalysis toward overproduced reactive oxygen species. By synergizing with localized heating from hot-electron decay, FeCG achieves rapid and potent disinfection with an antibacterial efficiency of 99.6% on Escherichia coli within 5 min and is also effective (94.2%) against Staphylococcus aureus. Our work presents crucial insights into the organic-inorganic heterointerface in advanced plasmonic biocidal nanozymes.

Constructing a interfacial electric field for efficient reduction of nitrogen to ammonia

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction (eNRR) is a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable approach for ammonia production. MoS2, as a typical layered transition metal compound, holds significant potential as an electrocatalyst for the eNRR. Nevertheless, it suffers from a limited number of active sites and low electron transfer efficiency. In this study, we constructed a heterostructure by depositing SnO2 (an n-type semiconductor) nanoparticles on MoS2 (a p-type semiconductor). This unique interfacial structure not only generates abundant interfacial contacts but also facilitates the transfer of electrons from SnO2 to MoS2, leading to the formation of an interfacial electric field. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that this electric field increases the number of active electrons, facilitating N2 adsorption and NN bond activation. Moreover, it increases the degree of orbital overlap between N2 and SnO2/MoS2, effectively reducing the energy barrier of the rate-determining step. Benefiting from the interfacial electric field effect, the SnO2/MoS2 catalyst exhibits significant catalytic activity and selectivity towards eNRR, with an ammonia yield of 47.1 µg h−1 mg−1 and a Faraday efficiency of 19.3 %, surpassing those reported for the majority of MoS2- and SnO2-based catalysts.

S‑scheme heterojunction of thin-layer O-modified graphitic carbon nitride/cobalt porphyrin to promote photocatalytic CO2 conversion

The emissions of CO2 are increasing year by year, which have led to serious environmental problems. Converting CO2 into valuable fuels through photocatalysis is a promising strategy. In this research, oxygen atoms were successfully innovated into graphitic carbon nitride (CN). Additionally, cobalt porphyrin (CoTPP) was successfully loaded onto the modified carbon nitride (Co/CN). The generation of interfacial electric fields and bending bands between CN and CoTPP was demonstrated experimentally. The electrons in the CN and the holes in the CoTPP were combined to form a unique S-scheme heterojunction structure, and efficient separation of carriers was promoted. As a result, the CO conversion under visible light irradiation reached an impressive 100.70 μmol g−1 h−1. By integrating theoretical and experimental findings, this study underscores the critical role of catalyst design in enabling efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction.