Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2025, Vol. 69: 84-98.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60197-X

• Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Surface defect engineering of ZnCoS in ZnCdS with twin crystal structure for visible-light-driven H2 production coupled with benzyl alcohol oxidation

Tan Ji Sianga,b, Peipei Zhangc, Binghui Chena,b,c, Wee-Jun Onga,b,c,d,e,f,*()   

  1. aSchool of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan 43900, Malaysia
    bCenter of Excellence for NaNo Energy & Catalysis Technology (CONNECT), Xiamen University Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan 43900, Malaysia
    cState Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, China
    dGulei Innovation Institute Xiamen University, Zhangzhou 363200, Fujian, China
    eShenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen 518057, Guangdong, China
    fDepartment of Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea
  • Received:2024-08-17 Accepted:2024-11-13 Online:2025-02-18 Published:2025-02-10
  • Contact: E-mail: weejun.ong@xmu.edu.my (W.-J. Ong).
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(22202168);Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2021A1515111019);State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University(2023X11);Postgraduate of Xiamen University Malaysia(IENG/0038);Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund(ICOE/0001);Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund(XMUMRF/2021-C8/IENG/0041)

Abstract:

Photoredox dual reaction of organic synthesis and H2 evolution opens up a novel pathway for collaboratively generating clean fuels and high-quality chemicals, providing a more effective approach of solar energy conversion. Herein, a surface defect-engineered ZnCoS/ZnCdS heterostructure with zinc blende (ZB)/wurtzite (WZ) phase junctions is synthesized for photocatalytic cooperative coupling of benzaldehyde (BAD) and H2 production. This surface defect-engineered ZnCoS/ZnCdS heterostructure elaborately integrates the mixed phase junction advantage of ZnCdS semiconductor and the cocatalytic function of ZnCoS possessing Zn (VZn-ZnCoS/ZnCdS) or S vacancies (VS-ZnCoS/ZnCdS). The optimum VS-ZnCoS/ZnCdS simultaneously exhibits a superior H2 production rate of 14.23 mmol h-1 g-1 accompanied with BAD formation rate of 12.29 mmol h-1 g-1 under visible-light irradiation, which is approximately two-fold greater than that of pristine ZnCdS. Under simulated sunlight irradiation (AM 1.5), VS-ZnCoS/ZnCdS achieves H2 evolution (27.43 mmol gcat-1 h-1) with 0.52% of STH efficiency, accompany with 26.31 mmol gcat-1 h-1 of BAD formation rate. The underlying solar-driven mechanism is elucidated by a series of in-situ characterization and control experiments, which reveals the synergistic effect of interfacial ZB/WZ phase junctions in ZnCdS and S vacancies of ZnCoS on enhancement of the photoredox dual reaction. The VS-ZnCoS/ZnCdS follows a predominant oxygen-centered radical integrating with carbon-centered radical pathways for BAD formation and a simultaneous electron-driven proton reduction for H2 production. Interestingly, the nature of surface vacancies not only facilitates the separation of photoinduced charge carriers but also able to selectively adjust the mechanism pathway for BAD production via tuning the oxygen-centered radical and carbon-centered radical formation.

Key words: Photoredox dual reaction, Aromatic alcohol conversion, Surface vacancy, Organic synthesis, H2 production