Enhanced photocatalytic performance of Cu₂O/MoS₂/ZnO composites on Cu mesh substrate for nitrogen reduction

Abstract

Cu2O nanoparticles and MoS2 nanoflowers decorated with ZnO nanospheres were successfully co-deposited on Cu mesh via a mild electrodeposition method to build a dual direct Z-scheme heterostructure. The prepared materials can effectively synthesize ammonia with N2 and H2O in the liquid membrane reactor under simulated visible light. The results indicate that 3D nanomaterials exhibit better performance compared to a pure semiconductor due to the synergistic effect of enhanced visible light absorption, longer photogenerated carrier lifetime and the specific charge transfer path of dual direct Z-scheme structure. Meanwhile, the hydrophilicity of Cu2O/MoS2/ZnO rapidly makes the surface of the catalyst wet when it participates in the photo reaction, which promotes the contact between the reactant and exciton. This work proposes the electron transfer and possible reaction mechanism corresponding to the designed catalyst, which can provide a reference for other photocatalytic applications using a semiconductor heterojunction as a catalyst.

Recent progress in research and design concepts for the characterization, testing, and photocatalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction

“…These materials, especially transition metal oxides, are widely used in a variety of photocatalytic reactions due to their special energy band structure and activity. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39]134,165,166…”

“…At present, Cu 2 O, a low-cost, visible light-responsive semiconductor photocatalyst has many applications in the field of photocatalysis due to its narrow band gap (1.2 eV), so it has been extensively studied in the field of photocatalytic nitrogen reduction. 33,134,165,166 8A) by in situ topotactic reduction of a Cu(II)-containing layered double hydroxide with ascorbic acid, and achieved the efficient photocatalytic reduction of N 2 to NH 3 for the first time. The ultrafine Cu 2 O owns highly exposed surface sites for N 2 adsorption, long-lived photoexcited electrons in trap states, and the underlying support structure, which all are beneficial to the photocatalytic N 2 reduction to NH 3 under visible light irradiation.…”

“…Generally, metal oxides are the most common photocatalytic materials. These materials, especially transition metal oxides, are widely used in a variety of photocatalytic reactions due to their special energy band structure and activity 27–39,134,165,166 . Transition metal oxides have d orbital electrons or empty d orbitals, which can provide empty orbitals to act as electrophiles in chemical reactions or provide lone pairs of electrons.…”

Advances in Semiconductor-Based Nanocomposite Photo(electro)catalysts for Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia

“…Inspired by artificial photosynthesis, the concept of Z-scheme heterojunction was further proposed to improve the photocatalytic system’s redox potential. Duan et al [ 56 ] synthesized three-dimensional Cu 2 O/MoS 2 /ZnO nanocomposites with copper mesh as a substrate for photocatalytic N 2 reduction experiments under visible light. Excellent interfacial contact achieved a high ammonia yield, which was 4.24 and 2.58 times higher than ZnO and Cu 2 O.…”

Catalytic Removal of NOx on Ceramic Foam-Supported ZnO and TiO2 Nanorods Ornamented with W and V Oxides

“…Recent efforts involve the potential enhancement of ZnO stability by structural modifications, such as doping [23] and core-shell nanoparticle formation [24], e.g., using hybrid ZnO-TiO 2 systems [25]. Surface deposits, e.g., Cu 2 O/MoS 2 /ZnO composites on Cu mesh, can upgrade the ZnO system, reducing N 2 to NH 3 (with water as the proton source) in the liquid membrane reactor under simulated visible light [26]. The room temperature sintering of polar ZnO nanosheets was prevented by forming the surface layer of silica (2 atom %) [27].…”