Multifunctional Ni-Mg bimetal-activated Zn(O,S) for hydrogen generation and environmental remediation with simulated solar-light irradiation

• Published in: Catalysis science & technology 2021-11, Vol.11 (21), p.72-7216
• Main Authors: Abdullah, Hairus, Shuwanto, Hardy, Kuo, Dong-Hau
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aniline; Azo compounds; Bimetals; Catalysts; Charge transfer; Chemical synthesis; Chromium; Degradation; Dyes; Hexavalent chromium; Hydrogen production; Industrial applications; Light; Light irradiation; Magnesium; Photocatalysis; Zinc
• ISSN: 2044-4753; 2044-4761
• DOI: 10.1039/d1cy00977j

A Ni-Mg bimetal-doped Zn(O,S) photocatalyst has been synthesized, characterized, and tested for several photocatalytic applications. The hydrogen generation reaction, hydrogenation reaction for chemical transformation, detoxification of hexavalent chromium, and mixed dye (MB + RhB + MO) degradation under simulated solar-light illumination were confirmed. The essential characterization results indicated improved oxygen vacancy sites on the catalyst with enhanced photoresponse, better photocarrier separation, and facile charge transfer properties. A typical catalyst, NMZ-S10, was evaluated with a 1000-cycle CV test to demonstrate its long-term use for industrial application. Stable reusability experiments for the HER, PHR, PHC reaction, and PDM also supported the long-term application. The photocatalytic HER of NMZ-S10 could evolve hydrogen at a rate of 4000 μmol g −1 h −1 . 30 ppm azobenzene-to-aniline conversion was completely done in 2 h of reaction. Detoxification of 30 ppm hexavalent chromium was conducted in 70 min of reaction. Finally, 10.5 ppm MB-RhB-MO mixed dye degradation was carried out in 1 h of reaction. The as-synthesized NMZ-S10 catalyst has demonstrated its capability to overcome energy and environmental issues promisingly. The great photocatalytic activities are discussed and elucidated with a plausible mechanism to rationalize the superb catalytic performance. NMZ-S10 is a powerful and robust photocatalyst that is capable of conducting the hydrogen evolution reaction, chromium (Cr 6+ ) reduction, mixed-dye degradation, and hydrogenation reaction under solar light illumination.