Visible Light Driven VO₂/g‐C₃N₄ Z‐Scheme Composite Photocatalysts for Selective Oxidation of DL‐1‐Phenylethyl Alcohol under Vis‐LEDs Irradiation and Aerobic Oxidation

Abstract

A novel VO2/g‐C3N4 Z‐Scheme type heterostructure composite photocatalyst was fabricated by the ultrasonic‐assisted method. The newly synthesized photocatalyst has been systematically and comprehensively characterized and analyzed. Through the selective oxidation of DL‐1‐Phenylethyl alcohol under Vis‐LED irradiation and aerobic oxidation, the photocatalytic performance of VO2/g‐C3N4 photocatalyst was investigated. The results showed that the prepared VO2/g‐C3N4 nanocomposites exhibited excellent photocatalytic oxidation performance. Among them, the highest turnover frequency (TOF) was 0.42 mmol (DL‐1‐Phenylethyl alcohol)⋅mmol−1 (catalyst)⋅h−1, which was 5 times higher than the TOF of the original g‐C3N4. The effects of different wavelengths of LED monochromatic light, the composite ratio of VO2 and g‐C3N4, the reaction time, and the different benzyl alcohol substrates were studied. Also, catalyst life test was completed. Furthermore, a persuasive mechanism of photocatalytic selective oxidation of DL‐1‐Phenylethyl alcohol on VO2/g‐C3N4 photocatalyst was proposed through EPR and radical trapping experiments.

Advanced Functional Carbon Nitride by Implanting Semi‐Isolated VO2 Active Sites for Photocatalytic H2 Production and Organic Pollutant Degradation

“…Very recently, the CB and VB positions in the pure VO 2 with semiconductor ability were estimated to be (0.26 and 2.4) eV. [ 34 ] On the other hand, this study obtained the flat band ( E fb ) position of CN, by extrapolating the X‐intercepts of the linear region in the Mott–Schottky plot (Figure S7, Supporting Information). The E fb potential of CN is found to be −1.38 V (versus Ag/AgCl), which is equivalent to −1.18 V (versus NHE, pH = 0).…”

g-C3N4-Based Direct Z-Scheme Photocatalysts for Environmental Applications

“…Then, a new alternative to improve the photocatalytic activity of g-C 3 N 4 based on the design of novel Z-schemes will be widely described. Although Z-schemes are applied in relevant photocatalytic reactions, such as environmental applications [34,40], energetic applications [40], transformation of organic compounds to added-value products [41][42][43], and photocatalytic biorefineries [44], among others, this review will cover most relevant works on g-C 3 N 4 -based Z-scheme photocatalysts and their use in environmental applications such as pollutant abatement and CO 2 reduction due to the high impact in our society, as was mentioned previously. In addition, energy aspects, e.g., water splitting, are also briefly reviewed.…”