Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2017, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (9): 1891-1897.doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB201705111

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Synthesis Direct Z-Scheme CuS-WO3 Photocatalysts Based on an Element-Reaction Route and Their Photocatalytic Activity

Chun-Dong SONG,Jing ZHANG*(),Ying GAO,Yuan-Yuan LU,Fang-Fang WANG   

  • Received:2017-03-28 Published:2017-07-05
  • Contact: Jing ZHANG E-mail:jingzhang_dicp@live.cn
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21573101, 20903054)(21573101);the Liaoning Provincial Natural Science Foundation(2014020107);the Program for Liaoning Excellent Talents in University(LJQ2014041);the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry(教外司留[2013]1792号);the support plan for Distinguished Professor of Liaoning Province([2015]153);the Liaoning BaiQianWan Talents program([2017]96);the fund of the State Key Laboratory of Catalysis in DICP(N-15-10)

Abstract:

CuS fabricated by an element-reaction route using copper and sulfur powders was loaded on WO3 in situ at a low temperature. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra were used to characterize the crystalline phase, morphology, particle size, and optical properties of the CuS-WO3 samples. CuS modification had no obvious influence on the crystalline phase, particle size, and surface area of WO3. However, it led to the enhancement of the utilization of light energy for WO3. CuS-WO3 composites were utilized as photocatalysts for the degradation of Rhodamine B. The CuS-WO3 photocatalysts showed higher photocatalytic activity than pure WO3 or CuS under visible light irradiation. CuS content had a significant influence on the photocatalytic activity of CuS-WO3. CuS-WO3 with 7% (w, mass fraction) CuS content exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation activity (91.3%). Based on analysis of the band structure of CuS and WO3, photoluminescence results, and active species trapping, a "direct Z-scheme" mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of CuS-WO3 was proposed. The "direct Z-scheme" results in effective charge separation, leading to increased photocatalytic activity compared to that of CuS and WO3.

Key words: CuS, WO3, Direct Z-scheme, Rhodamine B, Photocatalytic