Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
197,768 studies31 sourcesUpdated 1 h ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Nanomaterials

Efficient p–n Heterojunction Construction in Co3O4/Zn0.4Cd0.6S Composite for Boosted Visible-Light Photocatalytic H2 Production

  • Yanzhu Ye1,2
  • Zhongshui Li2
  • Alian Wang1
  • Shen Lin2
  1. 1Training Management Division, Fujian Institute of Education, Fuzhou 350001, China
  2. 2College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
Open at sourceDOICite

Abstract

In photocatalyst design, constructing p–n heterojunctions is a highly effective way to suppress photogenerated charge recombination and enhance photocatalytic activity. In this study, a precious-metal-free Co3O4/Zn0.4Cd0.6S p–n heterojunction composite was prepared using a facile solvothermal approach. The photocatalytic activity and long-term stability are significantly promoted by the introduction of Co3O4. The composite containing 4 wt% Co3O4 demonstrates a maximum H2 generation yield of 56.63 mmol g−1 h−1, which represents a 6.8-fold improvement over pristine Zn0.4Cd0.6S, significantly surpassing many comparable photocatalysts and even exceeding that of some noble-metal-modified composites. The apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 4 wt%-Co3O4/Zn0.4Cd0.6S reaches up to 21.86% at 420 nm. Systematic characterization reveals that the photocatalysts’ p–n heterojunction underlies the remarkable improvement in activity and durability of the composite through facilitated separation and migration of photoinduced electrons and holes. The p–n heterojunction-driven charge separation enhancement fundamentally underpins this significant performance leap. These findings demonstrate a promising approach for developing cost-effective, high-activity photocatalysts for sustainable energy applications.

Related

  1. LaVO4/Bi2O2S S-Scheme Heterojunction Driving Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Antibiotics
    Dongdong Chen, Yuhao Zeng, Yang Zhang +6
    MoleculesPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0General chemistryCrossref
  2. Assembling giant heterometallic cyclic coordination clusters {MnII2LnIII2}n (n = 6 and 8) for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production
    Kai-Peng Bai, Yu Wang, Wei-Peng Chen +4
    Chemical SciencePeer-reviewedCC BY 3.0Full textOrganic chemistryPMC
  3. Regulating interfacial hydrophilicity in vinylene-linked covalent organic frameworks for efficient photocatalytic H2O2 production in water and air
    Shun-Feng Li, Ya Lu, Mei-Mei Zhang +6
    RSC Applied InterfacesPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC 4.0Full text1 citedMaterials & polymersHAL
  4. Constructing an Ohmic-like Type-I Heterojunction via Electrostatic Self-Assembly of Silver Cyanamide and g-C3N4 for Boosted Photocatalytic Performance
    Haidong Yu, Qiyue Gao, Hao Liu +4
    ACS OmegaPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Full textGeneral chemistryCrossref
  5. Heterojunction engineering powered by CIGS solar cells for boosted photocatalytic methane coupling
    Duc Manh Nguyen, Thanh Huyen Vuong, Thomas Tom +7
    Applied Catalysis B: EnvironmentalPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDFull textMaterials & polymersTheoretical & computational chemistryHALHAL

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{ye2026efficient,
  title = {{Efficient p–n Heterojunction Construction in Co3O4/Zn0.4Cd0.6S Composite for Boosted Visible-Light Photocatalytic H2 Production}},
  author = {Yanzhu Ye and Zhongshui Li and Alian Wang and Shen Lin},
  journal = {Nanomaterials},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/nano16211397},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/16/21/1397},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Efficient p–n Heterojunction Construction in Co3O4/Zn0.4Cd0.6S Composite for Boosted Visible-Light Photocatalytic H2 Production
AU  - Yanzhu Ye
AU  - Zhongshui Li
AU  - Alian Wang
AU  - Shen Lin
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/31
JO  - Nanomaterials
DO  - 10.3390/nano16211397
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/16/21/1397
AB  - In photocatalyst design, constructing p–n heterojunctions is a highly effective way to suppress photogenerated charge recombination and enhance photocatalytic activity. In this study, a precious-metal-free Co3O4/Zn0.4Cd0.6S p–n heterojunction composite was prepared using a facile solvothermal approach. The photocatalytic activity and long-term stability are significantly promoted by the introduction of Co3O4. The composite containing 4 wt% Co3O4 demonstrates a maximum H2 generation yield of 56.63 mmol g−1 h−1, which represents a 6.8-fold improvement over pristine Zn0.4Cd0.6S, significantly surpassing many comparable photocatalysts and even exceeding that of some noble-metal-modified composites. The apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 4 wt%-Co3O4/Zn0.4Cd0.6S reaches up to 21.86% at 420 nm. Systematic characterization reveals that the photocatalysts’ p–n heterojunction underlies the remarkable improvement in activity and durability of the composite through facilitated separation and migration of photoinduced electrons and holes. The p–n heterojunction-driven charge separation enhancement fundamentally underpins this significant performance leap. These findings demonstrate a promising approach for developing cost-effective, high-activity photocatalysts for sustainable energy applications.
SN  - 2079-4991
ER  -