Photocatalytic H<sub>2</sub> Evolution Integrated with Selective Oxidation of Furfuryl Alcohol to Furfural Promoted by NiMoS<sub>4</sub>/Zn<sub>0.6</sub>Cd<sub>0.4</sub>S Nanocomposite
Jinbo Yang, Shengqi Lin, Chunhe Li, Kuankuan Ren, Qiufeng Ye, Weidong Dou
Abstract
Utilizing photocatalytic technology to efficiently convert biomass-derived compounds into value-added chemicals and release hydrogen gas can effectively address energy and environmental issues. For this purpose, we fabricated a series of NiMoS 4 /Zn 0.6 Cd 0.4 S nanocomposites through a simple two-pot hydrothermal treatment. Dexterously, the photoexcited electrons and holes can be simultaneously utilized to participate in a photocatalytic redox reaction, effectively achieving the oxidation of furfuryl alcohol while cooperating with H 2 evolution. The hydrogen evolution rate of 10%-NiMoS 4 /Zn 0.6 Cd 0.4 S nanocomposite in 1.50 vol % furfuryl alcohol aqueous solution is as high as 289.5 μmol·h –1, which is approximately 2895 and 41 times higher than that of pure NiMoS 4 and Zn 0.6 Cd 0.4 S, respectively. Meanwhile, after 13 cycles of photocatalytic reaction, the conversion efficiency and selectivity of converting furfuryl alcohol to furfural are 68.5% and 94.0%, respectively. This photocatalyst also shows high photocurrent, low impedance, and efficient photogenerated carrier separation and transport properties, which can be attributed to the establishment of an ohmic junction between NiMoS 4 and Zn 0.6 Cd 0.4 S. It is anticipated that this work can provide inspiration for the effective conversion of biomass-derived platform chemicals into high-value chemicals through visible-light-driven photocatalytic technology.