Carbon Doping and Oxygen Vacancy-Tungsten Trioxide/Cu<sub>3</sub>SnS<sub>4</sub> S-Scheme Heterojunctions for Boosting Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Performance
Na Zhang, Yichao Wang, Zipeng Xing, Zhenzi Li, Wei Zhou
Abstract
Developing ideal photocatalysts for energy regeneration and environmental remediation by combining the advantages of individual semiconductors remains a significant challenge. Herein, tungsten trioxide (WO 3 )/Cu 3 SnS 4 S-scheme heterojunction composite photocatalysts are developed. Initially, doped oxygen vacancy (OV) was prepared on two-dimensional WO 3 nanosheets by direct calcination method. Subsequently, Cu 3 SnS 4 nanoflowers are produced via a one-step hydrothermal process, which are then used to wrap the WO 3 nanosheets. The close contact between WO 3 and Cu 3 SnS 4, coupled with unsaturated C–OV coordination, enhanced the interfacial electron transport. Under visible light irradiation, the WO 3 /Cu 3 SnS 4 shows an impressive H 2 production rate of 3345.26 μmol h –1 g –1, a significant improvement over the individual performances of WO 3 and Cu 3 SnS 4 . Moreover, WO 3 /Cu 3 SnS 4 demonstrated the highest photocatalytic tetracycline degradation efficiency, achieving 99.4% degradation within 90 min of illumination. An efficient S-scheme heterojunction system with a well-aligned band structure was successfully constructed. This design effectively extends their lifetime, allowing the heterojunction to achieve maximum efficiency in the light reaction.