Utilizing transparent and conductive SnO₂ as electron mediator to enhance the photocatalytic performance of Z-scheme Si-SnO₂-TiO_x

Highlights

• A novel Z-scheme Si-SnO₂-TiO_x with SnO₂ as electron mediator is first constructed.

• Transparent and conductive SnO₂ can pass light through and promote charge transport.

• V_O from SnO₂ and TiO_x improve photoelectrochemical performances.

• Efficient photocatalytic degradations originate from the Z scheme construction.

Abstract

Z-scheme photocatalysts, with strong redox ability, have a great potential for pollutants degradation. However, it is challenging to construct efficient Z-scheme photocatalysts because of their poor interfacial charge separation. Herein, by employing transparent and conductive SnO₂ as electron mediator to pass light through and promote interfacial charge transportation, a novel Z-scheme photocatalyst Si-SnO₂-TiO_{x (1<x<2)} was constructed. The Z-scheme photocatalyst displayed an order of magnitude higher photocurrent density and a 4-fold increase in open-circuit potential compared to those of Si. Moreover, the onset potential shifted negatively for approximately 2.2 V. Benefiting from these advantages, this Z-scheme Si-SnO₂-TiO_x exhibited efficient photocatalytic performance toward phenol degradation and mineralization. 75% of the phenol was degraded without bias potential and 70% of the TOC was removed during phenol degradation. Other typical pollutants such as bisphenol A and atrazine could also be degraded without bias potential. Introducing a transparent and conductive electron mediator to construct Z-scheme photocatalyst gives a new sight to the improvement of photocatalytic performance in Z scheme.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Z-scheme photocatalyst / Tin oxide / Electron mediator / Organic pollutant

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21590813), Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program (No. XLYC1801003) and Guangdong Innovation Team Project for Colleges and Universities (No. 2016KCXTD023).

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-020-1251-z and is accessible for authorized users.

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