Erling Zhao , Pengfei Yin , Kun Du , Ning Lan , Quanlu Wang , Jiaxin Guo , Min Wang , Tao Ling
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The sustainable conversion of plastic waste to reduce the environmental burden and recover valuable chemicals is of great significance. However, low charge separation efficiency and the rapid recombination of charge carriers hinder the activity of a photocatalyst. Herein, we report highly twinned ZnSe nanowires (T-ZnSe), which can construct a ‘micro-band’ slightly higher than the conduction band (CB) through the ingenious structure of zinc blende/wurtzite (ZB/WZ), thus forming an internal electric field (IEF) on the twin boundary, providing a strong driving force for the instantaneous separation of electrons and holes after generation. It was found that compared with single crystal ZnSe (S-ZnSe), the photocatalytic reforming of PLA by T-ZnSe produced H2 and organic acids yields that were improved by 4.15 times and 4.27 times, respectively. In addition, the yield of H2 and organic acids produced by the photocatalytic reforming of PET by T-ZnSe increased by 5.25 times and 4.80 times, respectively. The enhanced product output is mainly attributed to the enhanced IEF and rapid migration rate, which promote their effective charge separation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and photoelectric tests show that the IEF generated in the twin structure is enhanced by 3.76 times. The time-of-flight (TOF) mobility test further demonstrates that the carrier migration rate also doubled under a strong IEF. This study proves that the synergy between IEF and migration rate can promote the charge separation of photocatalysts and provides a new direction for future research on plastic modification using other photocatalysts.
期刊介绍:
Green Chemistry is a journal that provides a unique forum for the publication of innovative research on the development of alternative green and sustainable technologies. The scope of Green Chemistry is based on the definition proposed by Anastas and Warner (Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice, P T Anastas and J C Warner, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1998), which defines green chemistry as the utilisation of a set of principles that reduces or eliminates the use or generation of hazardous substances in the design, manufacture and application of chemical products. Green Chemistry aims to reduce the environmental impact of the chemical enterprise by developing a technology base that is inherently non-toxic to living things and the environment. The journal welcomes submissions on all aspects of research relating to this endeavor and publishes original and significant cutting-edge research that is likely to be of wide general appeal. For a work to be published, it must present a significant advance in green chemistry, including a comparison with existing methods and a demonstration of advantages over those methods.