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Photocatalytic CO2 reduction utilizing solar energy is a clean, environment-friendly strategy converting CO2 into hydrocarbon fuels to solve the energy crisis and climate issues. Herein, we report the synthesis of Cu-doped SnS2 nanosheets via a simple hydrothermal method. The prepared Cu-doped SnS2 composite displays superior photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity. The optimized CH3OH yield of the composite is two times higher than that of pure SnS2. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to effective charge separation resulting from the thinner nanosheets and delocalization of electrons from SnS2 to Cu, high visible light utilization efficiency, enlarged SBET, negative shift of the flat-band potential and reduced charge transfer resistance with the introduction of Cu atoms. This work suggests the potential application of Cu-doped SnS2 in photocatalytic CO2 reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitric acid is considered to be an important chemical raw material; however, the traditional production of nitric acid is an energy-intensive process. Photocatalysis provides an ideal way to oxidize nitrogen to nitrate through a green process, but still faces the limitations of low visible light utilization and rapid carrier compounding. Herein, a unique S-scheme heterojunction of a 2D/2D BiVO4/metalloporphyrin (ZnTCPP) layered composite with high visible-light photocatalytic N2 oxidation activity is reported. The nitrate yield of the optimal sample (BZ-20) reaches 4.72 mg g−1 h−1 and the apparent quantum efficiency reaches 0.80% at 420 nm, which represents the highest photocatalytic activity for nitrate production so far. Experimental and density functional theory calculation results indicate that a unique S-scheme charge transfer path can be formed at the BiVO4/ZnTCPP interfaces to ensure superior separation and redox ability of photogenerated electrons and holes, resulting in high photocatalytic performance. This work provides a new insight into metalloporphyrin-based photocatalysts for efficient N2 photofixation driven by the S-scheme charge transfer route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductor‐based Z‐scheme heterojunction photocatalysts have received considerable attention for solar energy conversion and environmental purification due to their spatially separated reduction and oxidation sites, effective separation and transportation of photo‐excited charge carriers and strong redox ability. With their wide visible‐light responsive range and high photocatalytic activity, metal sulphide is an important material in developing photocatalysts. This review summarizes and highlights recent research progress in sulphide‐based direct Z‐scheme photocatalysts, followed by analysis on the limitations over all‐solid‐state Z‐scheme photocatalyst. Furthermore, the applications and characterization methods of sulphide‐based direct Z‐scheme photocatalyst are summarized. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of sulphide‐based Z‐scheme photocatalyst are discussed. A to Z! Sulphide‐based Z‐scheme photocatalysts are reviewed in this paper about the mechanism fundamentals, recent research progress in the applications in photocatalysis, evidence of Z‐scheme mechanism and perspective on challenges and future developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic CO 2 reduction utilizing solar energy is a clean, environment-friendly strategy converting CO 2 into hydrocarbon fuels to solve the energy crisis and climate issues. Herein, we report the synthesis of Cu-doped SnS 2 nanosheets via a simple hydrothermal method. The prepared Cu-doped SnS 2 composite displays superior photocatalytic CO 2 reduction activity. The optimized CH 3 OH yield of the composite is two times higher than that of pure SnS 2 . The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to effective charge separation resulting from the thinner nanosheets and delocalization of electrons from SnS 2 to Cu, high visible light utilization efficiency, enlarged S BET , negative shift of the flat-band potential and reduced charge transfer resistance with the introduction of Cu atoms. This work suggests the potential application of Cu-doped SnS 2 in photocatalytic CO 2 reduction.