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Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light using noble metal-free ZnS NPs/Ni@Trimellitic acid porous microsphere heterojunction

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Abstract

The construction of late-model non-noble metal catalysts with above average performance and stability is the best choice to implement visible light decomposition of water for hydrogen production and solve the problem of clean energy. Herein, novel ZnS nanoparticles (ZnS NPs) grown in situ on the surface of porous Ni@Trimellitic acid (Ni-TA) microspheres were successfully synthesized. The structure, optical properties, element composition and others of ZnS/Ni-TA composites were systematically analyzed by experimental characterization. The experimental results showed that pure ZnS showed very weak photocatalytic performance. However, the photocatalytic performance was greatly increased with the addition of Ni-TA. The yield of the best sample (3% ZnS/Ni-TA) reached 1,098 µmol/g/h, about 12 times higher than that of ZnS. Among them, Ni-TA not only can be used as the main body of exotic metal nanoparticles, but also the porous channels can prevent the agglomeration of nanoparticles. The enhanced H2 yield is mainly attributed to the resulting tight interface contact and well-matched band position which are conducive to effective carrier separation; moreover, the electrons quickly diverted to the exposed edge of Ni-TA for reducing to produce hydrogen. The combination of inorganic and new organic semiconductors provides an idea for hydrogen production under visible light.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the Major Projects of Natural Science Research in Anhui Colleges and Universities (KJ2018ZD050, GXXT-2019-017, GXXT-2020-009), Natural Science Foundation of Anhui province (1808085ME129), Key research and development plan of Anhui Province (202004a05020060), Outstanding Young Talents Support Program in Colleges and Universities (gxyqZD2018056).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Functional Molecule Design and Interface Process, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China

    Wei-Qin Cai & Feng-Jun Zhang

  2. Anhui Key Laboratory of Advanced Building Materials, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China

    Wei-Qin Cai, Feng-Jun Zhang, Ying-Rui Wang & Dong-Cai Li

  3. Construction Economy and Real Estate Management Research Center, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China

    Ying-Rui Wang

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  1. Wei-Qin Cai
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  2. Feng-Jun Zhang
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  4. Dong-Cai Li
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Correspondence to Feng-Jun Zhang or Dong-Cai Li.

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Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light using noble metal-free ZnS NPs/Ni@Trimellitic acid porous microsphere heterojunction

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Cai, WQ., Zhang, FJ., Wang, YR. et al. Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light using noble metal-free ZnS NPs/Ni@Trimellitic acid porous microsphere heterojunction. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 39, 1268–1276 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-021-1011-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-021-1011-1

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