Co–N<sub>2</sub> Bond Precisely Connects the Conduction Band and Valence Band of g‐C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/CoCo‐LDH to Enhance Photocatalytic CO<sub>2</sub> Activity by High‐Efficiency S‐Scheme
Yi-lei Li, Qing Zhao, Xu-jia Liu, Ying Liu, Ying‐juan Hao, Xiaojing Wang, Xinying Liu, Diane Hildebrandt, Fengyu Li, Fa‐tang Li, Fa-tang Li, Fa-tang Li
Abstract
Precise regulation of photogenic electron transfer path plays an important role in improving photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction efficiency and product selectivity. Herein, under the guidance of density functional theory calculation, the interface chemical bond (CoN 2 bond) at the atomic level is designed, and g‐C 3 N 4 /CoCo‐layered double hydroxide (LDH) heterostructure is manufactured. CoCo‐LDH with water oxidation ability and g‐C 3 N 4 were combined to construct S‐scheme heterojunction with redox ability. The valence band and conduction band of g‐C 3 N 4 and CoCo‐LDH are precisely connected by the interfacial CoN 2 bond, which realizes the high‐speed transfer of electron transport. Despite the absence of cocatalyst, the heterojunction exhibits high water oxidation and carbon reduction capacity due to the precise regulation of CoN 2 bonds. Theoretical calculations and experimental results show that the addition of CoCo‐LDH: reduces the oxidation overpotential of water to provide more H protons; regulates the delocalization charge of g‐C 3 N 4 ; and reduces the energy barrier of the CO 2 intermediate (*COOH) in the reduction half‐reaction. The results show that the selectivity of carbon‐based substances in the products was 100%, and the optimal CO yield was 71.39 μmol g −1 h −1 , which is among the highest values of g‐C 3 N 4 ‐based photocatalysts.