Insight into the highly efficient photocatalytic behavior of α-MoO3/AgBr heterojunction with S-scheme charge transfer strategy

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2024-06, Vol.988, p.174344, Article 174344
• Main Authors: Li, Y.X., Shi, J.D., Xiang, Y.Q., Qu, J.H., Yuan, G.L., Wang, X.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Heterojunction; Mechanism; Photocatalytic; Reactive species; S-scheme
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.174344

The improvement of photoactivity and stability, as well as a deep insight into the intrinsic mechanism, has significant practical implications for heterostructured photocatalysts. Herein, AgBr nanoparticles were successfully anchored onto the surface of α-MoO3 nanostrips to form a 0D/2D AgBr/MoO3 heterojunction. The photocatalytic performance of the heterojunction under sunlight was enhanced about 9.5 times compared to primary α-MoO3, along with excellent stability. When exposed to various light sources, the photoexcited charge carriers in the heterojunction experienced different transfer pathways, and the relative contributions of the main reactive species to the photocatalysis were varied. The mechanism investigation reveals that the S-scheme transfer strategy of charge carriers as well as the internal electric field (IEF) at the α-MoO3/AgBr interface not only boosts their rapid spatial separation and transfer but maximizes the redox capacity, enhancing the photocatalytic activity of α-MoO3/AgBr and guaranteeing its stability. •AgBr was successfully anchored onto the surface of α-MoO3 nanostrips to form a 0D/2D AgBr/MoO3 heterojunction.•The photoactivity of α-MoO3/AgBr under sunlight was enhanced about 9.5 times compared to primary α-MoO3.•The photoexcited charge carriers underwent different transfer pathways when exposed to various light sources.•The internal electric field and the S-scheme charge transfer boosted the photoactivity and guaranteed the stability.