Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2026, Vol. 82: 266-277.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(25)64923-0

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Interfacial Ni-N bond in g-C3N4/CoNi2S4 for enhanced photocatalytic CO2 conversion

Haonan Lia, Wa Gaoa,*(), Kangli Maa, Jian Leib, Olim Ruzimuradovc, Akhtam Samievc, Ya Chena,*(), Jingxiang Lowa,d,*(), Yue Lia   

  1. aSchool of Physical Science and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
    bAnhui Engineering Research Center of Carbon Neutrality, The Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, Ministry of Education, Anhui Laboratory of Molecular-Based Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, Anhui, China
    cTurin Polytechnic University in Tashkent, Kichik Khalqa yolu 17, Tashkent 100095, Uzbekistan
    dMultidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Received:2025-09-30 Accepted:2025-11-27 Online:2026-03-18 Published:2026-03-05
  • Contact: * E-mail: gaowa@tiangong.edu.cn (W. Gao),yachen@tiangong.edu.cn (Y. Chen),low.jingxiang@monash.edu (J. Low).
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(22202152);Tianjin Municipal Science and Technology Bureau(24JCQNJC00990);Cangzhou Institute of Tiangong University(TGCYY-F-0304)

Abstract:

Cocatalyst loading has been extensively adopted in photocatalysis for enhancing photocatalytic performance. However, the sluggish interfacial charge dynamics between cocatalyst and photocatalyst has restricted the wide applications of such a strategy. Herein, we introduce the Ni-N interfacial bonds between lamellar nitrogen-vacancy-rich g-C3N4/CoNi2S4 nanoparticles (CN-VN/CoNi2S4) composite material to bridge the photogenerated charge carrier separation at their interface. Specifically, extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis reveals that these Ni-N interfacial bonds are originated from the bonding of CoNi2S4 with the nitrogen atoms adjacent to the nitrogen vacancies (VN) in g-C3N4. Experimental evidence and theoretical calculations reveal that Ni-N interfacial bonds cannot only cause an intimate contact interface between CN-VN/CoNi2S4, but also modulate the charge distribution on the CN-VN and CoNi2S4, further boosting the photogenerated charge carrier separation. More interestingly, this tailored interfacial microenvironment significantly reduces the energy barrier for key intermediates formation while modulates the rate-determining step from *COOH generation to CO desorption, enabling efficient and controllable CO production. This work establishes a methodological framework for engineering advanced photocatalysts, enabling high-efficiency conversion of solar energy into clean fuels.

Key words: Photocatalysis, Interfacial chemical bonds, In-situ growth, Nitrogen-vacancy, CO2 conversion