In-situ fabrication of Bi2S3/BiVO4/Mn0.5Cd0.5S-DETA ternary S-scheme heterostructure with effective interface charge separation and CO2 reduction performance

Exploring new and efficient photocatalysts to boost photocatalytic CO2 reduction is of critical importance for solar-to-fuel conversion. In this study, through the in-situ growth method, a series of S-scheme mechanism Bi2S3/BiVO4/Mn0.5Cd0.5S-DETA nanocomposites with good photocatalytic activity were synthesized. The extremely small size of Mn0.5Cd0.5S-DETA nanoparticles provides more active sites for photocatalytic reactions. In order to solve the serious shortcomings of sulfide photo-corrosion, BiVO4 were introduced as oxidation catalyst to consume too many holes and improve the stability of the material. In addition, the in-situ growth method produces the reduction cocatalyst Bi2S3 during the BiVO4 and Mn0.5Cd0.5S-DETA recombination process, thereby improving the efficiency of charge transfer at their interface contact. The ternary composite unveils a higher CO2-reduction rate (44.74 μmol g−1 h−1) comparing with pristine BiVO4 (14.11 μmol g−1 h−1). The enhanced photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance is due to the special interface structure of the S-scheme Bi2S3/BiVO4/Mn0.5Cd0.5S-DETA photocatalyst, which facilitates the charge separation at the interface and improves its photocatalytic activity and stability.