Rational design of hetero-dimensional C-ZnO/MoS2 nanocomposite anchored on 3D mesoporous carbon framework towards synergistically enhanced stability and efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity
Journal
Chemosphere
Journal Volume
266
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Abstract
For efficient solar energy harvesting, various engineering strategies to strengthen visible-light responsivity of ZnO photocatalyst is under intensive investigation. In this work, a new ternary C-ZnO/MoS2/mesoporous carbon nanocomposite was successfully prepared by a two-step solution-processed synthesis protocol. The ternary composite exhibits a well-interconnected 3D mesoporous microstructure assembled by carbon nanosheets, which is loaded with quasi 0D ZnO nanoparticles and 2D MoS2 nanosheets. The carbonaceous nanocomposites show enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance and high photo-corrosion resistance. The incorporation of carbon in the hybrid design has manifold benefits that drastically promotes the photoactivity and photostability. The significant enhancement in photodegradation activity of the hybrid catalysts can be ascribed to a few positive synergistic effects, such as increased surface area and active reaction sites, boosted surface charge utilization efficiency, and band-gap lowering. The high porosity of the distinct microstructure raises the dye adsorption within the material. Tailored interface/surface properties enable more effective mass transport and higher separation efficiency of photo-generated carriers. The modulated electronic structure leads to the narrowing of the ZnO optical bandgap. Meanwhile, coupling with carbon prevents ZnO from photo-corrosion. Our approach highlights the roles of carbon as structure directing and stabilizing agents as well as heteroatom in defect engineering for wide band-gap oxide materials. The rational material design of multivariate mixed-dimensional architecture also provides guiding insight for the advancement of heterogeneous photocatalyst materials with superior performance and durability. The presented engineering strategy would be a promising method for the preparation of nanomaterials supported on 3D carbon network with high porosity and visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance. ? 2020 Elsevier Ltd
Subjects
Carbon; Catalyst activity; Corrosion prevention; Corrosion resistance; Electronic structure; Energy gap; Energy harvesting; II-VI semiconductors; Image enhancement; Layered semiconductors; Light; Microstructure; Molybdenum compounds; Nanocomposites; Nanosheets; Oxide minerals; Photocatalytic activity; Porosity; Solar energy; Surface reactions; Wide band gap semiconductors; Zinc oxide; ZnO nanoparticles; Carbon nanocomposite; Dimensional architectures; Heterogeneous photocatalysts; Photocatalytic performance; Photodegradation activity; Photogenerated carriers; Separation efficiency; Utilization efficiency; Sulfur compounds; 2 propanol; benzoquinone; carbon nanoparticle; molybdenum; nanocomposite; nanosheet; nitrobenzene; zinc oxide nanoparticle; carbon; molybdenum; zinc oxide; adsorption; carbon nanotube; catalyst; energy efficiency; microstructure; nanoparticle; oxide group; photodegradation; porosity; solar power; visible spectrum; Article; controlled study; corrosion; ecosystem restoration; energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; high resolution transmission electron microscopy; impedance spectroscopy; light; pH; photocatalysis; photodegradation; porosity; scanning electron microscopy; surface area; surface charge; transmission electron microscopy; ultraviolet visible spectroscopy; X ray diffraction; light; Carbon; Light; Molybdenum; Nanocomposites; Zinc Oxide
SDGs
Other Subjects
Carbon; Catalyst activity; Corrosion prevention; Corrosion resistance; Electronic structure; Energy gap; Energy harvesting; II-VI semiconductors; Image enhancement; Layered semiconductors; Light; Microstructure; Molybdenum compounds; Nanocomposites; Nanosheets; Oxide minerals; Photocatalytic activity; Porosity; Solar energy; Surface reactions; Wide band gap semiconductors; Zinc oxide; ZnO nanoparticles; Carbon nanocomposite; Dimensional architectures; Heterogeneous photocatalysts; Photocatalytic performance; Photodegradation activity; Photogenerated carriers; Separation efficiency; Utilization efficiency; Sulfur compounds; 2 propanol; benzoquinone; carbon nanoparticle; molybdenum; nanocomposite; nanosheet; nitrobenzene; zinc oxide nanoparticle; carbon; molybdenum; zinc oxide; adsorption; carbon nanotube; catalyst; energy efficiency; microstructure; nanoparticle; oxide group; photodegradation; porosity; solar power; visible spectrum; Article; controlled study; corrosion; ecosystem restoration; energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; high resolution transmission electron microscopy; impedance spectroscopy; light; pH; photocatalysis; photodegradation; porosity; scanning electron microscopy; surface area; surface charge; transmission electron microscopy; ultraviolet visible spectroscopy; X ray diffraction; light; Carbon; Light; Molybdenum; Nanocomposites; Zinc Oxide
Type
journal article