Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2026, Vol. 88: 233-246.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(26)65147-9

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Charging dynamics engineering: Quantum dots-induced full-space electric field cooperative Ag2S QDs/CoWO₄ S-scheme heterojunction boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Xiaolong Maa,1, Zhiqiang Wuc,1, Huiqin Yaob,*(), Bin Liud, Zhiliang Jina,*(), Paolo Fornasieroe,*()   

  1. a Ningxia Key Laboratory of Solar Chemical Conversion Technology, Key Laboratory for Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, Ningxia, China
    b School of Basic Medical Science, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
    c Ningxia Key Laboratory of Green Catalytic Materials and Technology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia Normal University, Guyuan 756099, Ningxia, China
    d School of Chemistry and Civil Engineering, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, Guangdong, China
    e Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Energy, Environment and Transport Giacomo Ciamiciam, INSTM Trieste Research Unit and ICCOM-CNR Trieste Research Unit, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
  • Received:2026-01-05 Accepted:2026-04-14 Online:2026-09-18 Published:2026-09-05
  • About author:First author contact: 共同第一作者.
    Contributed equally to this work.
  • Supported by:
    The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Natural Science Foundation project(2023AAC02046);The Graduate Innovation Project of North Minzu University(CYX25251)

Abstract:

Quantum dots (QDs) demonstrate significant potential in the field of photocatalytic hydrogen production due to their unique photoelectronic properties. In this study, based on the successful synthesis of Ag2S QDs, a rationally designed CoWO4/Ag2S S-scheme heterojunction was constructed by utilizing the band structure and Fermi level difference between CoWO4 and Ag2S QDs. Simultaneously, an efficient full-space electric field was engineered on the Ag2S QDs-modified CoWO4 photocatalyst through charge polarization strategy. Specifically, this robust full-space electric field was formed via cascaded coupling of the bulk electric field and the interface electric field. The successful establishment of both the CoWO4/Ag2S S-scheme heterojunction and the full-space electric field was confirmed through characterization techniques including femtosecond transient absorption spectra, Kelvin probe force microscopy and in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, along with density functional theory calculation results. Under the synergistic effect of the continuously driven full-space electric field and the S-scheme heterojunction, the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes has been significantly enhanced, enabling substantial electron accumulation on the catalyst surface for reaction participation, thereby greatly improving charge utilization efficiency. Meanwhile, it greatly facilitates the participation of highly oxidizing-reducing capable photogenerated electrons and holes in the reaction, providing sufficient driving force for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Ultimately, the hydrogen production rate of CWAS-10 reached 1546.23 μmol·g-1·h-1 within 5 h. Compared with the original CoWO4 and Ag2S, the performance was improved by nearly 2.6 and 4.2 times, respectively. This study offers a novel strategy for constructing S-scheme heterojunctions via quantum dot modification and synergistically regulating charge dynamics, providing valuable insights for the design of efficient photocatalysts in the field of energy conversion.

Key words: Ag2S quantum dots, CoWO4, S-scheme heterojunction, Full-space electric field, Charge transfer kinetics