Enhanced photocatalytic reactions via plasmonic metal-semiconductor heterostructures combing with solid-liquid-gas interfaces

• Published in: Applied catalysis. B, Environmental Environmental, 2022-06, Vol.306, p.121102, Article 121102
• Main Authors: Wang, Shan-Jiang, Zhang, Xiao-Yang, Su, Dan, Yan, Xi, Zhou, Huan-Li, Xue, Xiao-Mei, Wang, Yun-Fan, Zhang, Tong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodegradation; Dissolved oxygen; Environmental protection; Heterostructures; Holes (electron deficiencies); Hydrophobicity; Interfaces; Kinetics; Liquid-solid systems; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Photons; Plasmonic metal-semiconductor heterostructures; Plasmonics; Pollutants; Recombination; Separation of electron-hole pairs; Solid-liquid-gas triphase; Water pollution; Water treatment
• ISSN: 0926-3373; 1873-3883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.121102

Photocatalytic water pollution remediation is currently a hot issue in the field of environmental protection. However, the limited optical adsorption, recombination of electrons and holes, as well as low kinetics in solid-liquid conditions impede the further improvement in photoactivity. Inspired by the degradation mechanism of photocatalytic process, started with interfacial engineering, in this paper, plasmonic metal-semiconductor heterostructures (PMSHs) combined with an optimized dissolved oxygen transporting channel were prepared. With the synergetic help of PMSHs and superhydrophilic-superhydrophobic (superwetting) reaction interface, it is not only can realize the effective capture of photons in the visible light band, but also promote the fully separation of electron-hole pairs. The efficiency in PMSHs based triphase system is ~60 times higher than traditional solid-liquid system, and is ~3 times higher than PMSHs based solid-liquid system. The stability and wide applicability in series organic dyes degradation also made it a good potential for practical pollutants water treatment. [Display omitted] •A hole scavenger assisted photoreduction route for the optimization of plasmonic metal-semiconductor heterostructures.•A solid-liquid-gas interface consits of a superhydrophobic carbon black and superhydrophilic plasmonic heterostructures.•~60 and ~3 times higher SA degradation in triphase compared to P25 based diphase and plasmonic diphase, respectively.•Applicable in the series of organic pollutants and superior stability for tens of test cycles.