Intensitive UV–Vis-IR driven catalytic activity of Pt supported on hierarchical ZnO porous nanosheets for benzene degradation via novel photothermocatalytic synergetic effect

Pt supported on hierarchical ZnO porous nanosheets is prepared by the as-prepared hierarchical ZnO porous nanosheets dispersed in Pt(NO 3 ) 2 solution and then reduced by NaBH 4 solution. The crystal structure, morphology, Pt distribution, surface area, the valence state of elements, the light absorption of Pt/ZnO were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, EDX, BET, XPS, PL, and diffusive reflectance UV–Vis-IR absorption. The prepared Pt/ZnO exhibits UV-Vis-IR driven catalytic property even under the irradiation wavelength above 690 nm. The CO 2 production rate of Pt/ZnO for the initial 10 min is 49.69 times higher than that of ZnO for the benzene degradation under full solar light irradiation. Pt/ZnO also exhibits considerable thermocatalytic property with T 50 of 168 °C and T 90 of 197 °C. Impressively, the reaction temperature with full solar light irradiation could reduce 10 °C than that in dark with the same CO 2 production rate. The photothermocatalytic synergetic effect on Pt/ZnO originates from accelerated thermocatalysis via the active species generated from photocatalysis. That novel effect can significantly enhance the activity of benzene degradation. • Pt/ZnO exhibits full solar light driven catalytic property even under the irradiation wavelength above 690 nm. • The CO2 production rate of Pt/ZnO is 49.69 times higher than that of ZnO. • Pt/ZnO exhibits considerable thermocatalytic property with T50 of 168 o C and T90 of 197 o C. • The reaction temperature with full solar light irradiation reduces 10 o C than that in dark. • The photothermocatalytic synergetic effect significantly increases the activity.