Urchin like hierarchical CoZnAl LDH/RGO/g C3N4 hybrid as a Z scheme photocatalyst for efficient and selective CO2 reduction
Abstract A unique urchin like CoZnAl LDH/RGO/g C3N4 (LDH/RGO/CN) Z scheme photocatalyst, which is fabricated by the hydrothermal synthesis of CoZnAl LDH and the in situ loading of RGO and g C3N4, is developed for the photocatalytic conversion of CO2. The special spiny external surface and hollow inner cavity endow LDH/RGO/CN with a significantly enhanced light harvesting capacity. The well distributed g C3N4 nanosheets on the CoZnAl LDH nanoplates, combined with RGO as an electron mediator, constructs an excellent heterosystem with numerous interfaces, efficient charge separation and highly exposed catalytic active sites. The Z scheme charge transfer process promotes the oxidizability and reducibility of CoZnAl LDH and g C3N4. Furthermore, the synergistic effect among the components contributes to intense adsorption and chemical activation towards CO2, which reduces the reaction barrier for CO2 photoreduction. As a result, the optimized LDH/RGO/CN exhibits highly efficient and selective photocatalytic CO2 conversion to CO. The special 3D urchin like architecture paves a new way for design of photocatalyst with ideal performance.
Applied Catalysis B: Environmental