S-scheme g-C3N4/BiOBr heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic H2O2 production

doi:10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60277-9

Abstract

Abstract:

The establishment of S-scheme heterojunctions has arisen as a promising strategy for the advancement of efficient photocatalytic systems with superior charge separation and redox ability, specifically for H₂O₂ production. In this investigation, an innovative 2D/2D g-C₃N₄/BiOBr S-scheme heterojunction was meticulously engineered through an in situ growth methodology. The synthetic composites exhibit boosted H₂O₂ production activity, achieving a peak generation rate of 392 μmol L^-1 h^-1, approximately 8.7-fold and 2.1-fold increase over the pristine BiOBr and g-C₃N₄, respectively. Such a superior activity should be attributed to the highly efficient charge separation and migration mechanisms, along with the sustained robust redox capability of S-scheme heterostructure, which are verified by time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy, photocurrent test and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements. Furthermore, the interfacial electric field induced S-scheme charge transfer mechanism between g-C₃N₄ and BiOBr is systematically certificated by in situ irradiated X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculation. This research offers a comprehensive protocol for the systematic development and construction of highly efficient S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts, specifically tailored for enhanced H₂O₂ production.

Key words: S-scheme heterojunction, BiOBr, g-C₃N₄, Photocatalysis, H₂O₂ production

Tengfei Cao, Quanlong Xu, Jun Zhang, Shenggao Wang, Tingmin Di, Quanrong Deng. S-scheme g-C₃N₄/BiOBr heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic H₂O₂ production[J]. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2025, 72: 118-129.

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URL: https://www.cjcatal.com/EN/10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60277-9

https://www.cjcatal.com/EN/Y2025/V72/I5/118

Figures/Tables 13

Fig. 1. XRD patterns (a) and FTIR spectra (b) of the BiOBr, g-C3N4, and BCNX samples.

Fig. 2. FESEM images of g-C3N4 (a,d), BiOBr (b,e), and BCN4 (c,f) samples.

Fig. 3. TEM (a) and high-resolution TEM (b) images of sample BCN4.

Fig. 4. The UV-vis DRS of the g-C3N4, BiOBr and BCN4 samples.

Fig. 5. N2 sorption isotherms and the corresponding pore size distribution curves (inset) of g-C3N4, BCN4 and BiOBr samples.

Table 1 ABET, PV and APS data of g-C3N4, BCN4 and BiOBr samples.

Sample	A_BET (m² g^-1)	PV (cm³ g^-1)	APS (nm)
g-C₃N₄	96	0.51	21.2
BCN4	82	0.32	15.8
BiOBr	15	0.07	15.5

Fig. 6. XPS survey spectra (a), high-resolution XPS spectra of C 1s (b), N 1s (c), Bi 4f (d), O 1s (e), and Br 3d (f) of g-C3N4, BCN4 and BiOBr samples.

Fig. 7. (a) Time courses of photocatalytic H2O2 production over the obtained photocatalysts under 300 W Xe lamp irradiation. (b) Comparison of H2O2 yields over samples g-C3N4, BCNX and BiOBr for 1 h illumination. (c) Recycling tests for photocatalytic H2O2 production on g-C3N4, BCN4 and BiOBr samples. (d) Photocatalytic degradation of H2O2 under illumination and oxygen-free condition.

Fig. 8. TRPL spectra of the g-C3N4, BCN4 and BiOBr samples, the inset table presents the summarized fitting parameters and results.

Fig. 9. (a) I-T curves and (b) EIS of g-C3N4, BCN4 and BiOBr samples.

Fig. 10. (a) Active species quenching experiments. (b) Band structures of g-C3N4 and BiOBr. EPR spectra of DMPO-?O2- in methanol (c) and DMPO-?OH in aqueous dispersions (d) of BiOBr, g-C3N4 and BCN4 samples.

Fig. 11. Electrostatic potential of g-C3N4 (001) surface (a) and BiOBr (001) surface (b). (c) Gibbs free energy differences (ΔG) for each stage in the two-step single-electron ORR process over g-C3N4 and BiOBr/g-C3N4 composite. Top view (d) and side view (e,f) of the charge density difference of BiOBr/g-C3N4 with an isosurface of 2 × 10-3 e ?-3. (g) Planar-averaged electron density difference Δρ(z) for BiOBr/g-C3N4. The yellow and cyan regions respectively represent the accumulation and depletion of charge.

Fig. 12. (a) The band structures of individual BiOBr and g-C3N4. (b) The formation of IEF at the g-C3N4/BiOBr interface. (c) Charge migration pathway over g-C3N4/BiOBr heterojunction in the photocatalytic H2O2 production process.

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S-scheme g-C₃N₄/BiOBr heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic H₂O₂ production

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