Enhancement photocatalytic activity of the heterojunction of two-dimensional hybrid semiconductors ZnO/V2O5

In this work, we report the fabrication of the new heterojunction of two 2D hybrid layered semiconductors-ZnO (stearic acid)/VO (hexadecylamine)-and its behavior in the degradation of aqueous methylene blue under visible light irradiation. The optimal photocatalyst efficiency, reached at a ZnO (stea...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Aliaga, Juan|||0000-0003-2243-0805, Cifuentes, Nasla, González, Guillermo, Sotomayor Torres, Clivia M.|||0000-0001-9986-2716, Benavente, Eglantina|||0000-0002-8414-9317
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2018
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:204926
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/204926
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.3390/catal8090374
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Photocatalysis
Heterojunction
Two-dimensional semiconductor
ZnO
V2O5
Methylene blue degradation
Descripción
Sumario:In this work, we report the fabrication of the new heterojunction of two 2D hybrid layered semiconductors-ZnO (stearic acid)/VO (hexadecylamine)-and its behavior in the degradation of aqueous methylene blue under visible light irradiation. The optimal photocatalyst efficiency, reached at a ZnO (stearic acid)/VO (hexadecylamine) ratio of 1:0.25, results in being six times higher than that of pristine zinc oxide. Reusability test shows that after three photocatalysis cycles, no significant changes in either the dye degradation efficiency loss, nor the photocatalyst structure, occur. Visible light photocatalytic performance observed indicates there is synergetic effect between both 2D nanocomposites used in the heterojunction. The visible light absorption enhancement promoted by the narrower bandgap VO based components; an increased photo generated charge separation favored by extensive interface area; and abundance of hydrophobic sites for dye adsorption appear as probable causes of the improved photocatalytic efficiency in this hybrid semiconductors heterojunction. Estimated band-edge positions for both conduction and valence band of semiconductors, together with experiments using specific radical scavengers, allow a plausible photodegradation mechanism.