Photocatalytic C-C coupling and H2 production with tunable selectivity based on ZnxCd1-xS solid solutions for benzyl alcohol conversions under visible light

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2024-01, Vol.480, p.147970, Article 147970
• Main Authors: Wang, Ran, Zheng, Zhiding, Li, Zhuo, Xu, Xiaoxiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: C-C coupling; Hydrogen production; Photocatalyst; Solid solution; Visible light
• ISSN: 1385-8947
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.147970

[Display omitted] ZnxCd1-xS solid solutions are active for photocatalytic C-C coupling reactions using benzyl alcohol as the typical reactant. The conversion efficiency and selectivity of C-C coupling product is inherently linked to the solid solution levels of ZnxCd1-xS which can be readily tuned. •ZnxCd1-xS solid solutions is active for photocatalytic C-C coupling reactions.•The conversion rate and product selectivity depend on the solid solution levels.•Zn0.6Cd0.4S shows a conversion rate of 91.61 % for benzyl alcohol conversion reactions.•Zn0.6Cd0.4S shows a selectivity of 98.83% for C-C coupling products.•The reaction pathways and mechanism of C-C coupling have been elucidated. Photocatalytic C-C coupling is a green and sustainable route to produce value-added chemicals. However, the product selectivity is generally non-tunable and there is a lack of an in-depth understanding of the dependence of product selectivity on the band structure of the semiconductor photocatalyst. Here, ZnxCd1-xS solid solutions have been explored for photocatalytic C-C coupling using benzyl alcohol as a typical reactant. The conversion rate of benzyl alcohol and selectivity of C-C coupling products is inherently linked to the solid solution level of ZnxCd1-xS which can be readily tuned. An optimal solid solution level has been found at Zn0.6Cd0.4S (x = 0.6) which delivers a conversion rate of 91.61% and a selectivity of 98.83% for C-C coupling products. These findings not only deepen the understanding on factors that affect product selectivity but also justify the usefulness of solid solutions in tuning the C-C coupling reactions.