Rational constructing of Zn0.5Cd0.5S-diethylenetriamine/g-C3N4 S-scheme heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production

ABSTRACT Photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production (PHP) offers significant advantages to traditional production methods, including solar energy utilization, mild reaction conditions, environmental friendliness, pollution-free processes, sustainability, and high selectivity. However, despite its potential as a green and sustainable technology, photocatalytic H2O2 production (PHP) is constrained by limited visible light absorption by photocatalysts and the rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers, which reduce yield and efficiency. In this study, we synthesized an organic amine constrained Zn0.5Cd0.5S-DETA/g-C3N4 (ZCS-D/CN) S-scheme heterojunction via a hydrothermal method to enhance PHP. Anchoring ZCS-D on the surface of CN and forming an S-scheme heterojunction effectively prevented ZCS-D agglomeration, modulated the band structure of CN, and enhanced the migration and redox capabilities of photogenerated charge carriers. The optimized heterojunction (ZCS-D/CN) achieved a H2O2 yield of 5124 μmol g-1 h-1 in pure H2O, significantly outperforming pure CN (24 μmol g-1 h-1) and ZCS-D (4012 μmol g-1 h-1). These results demonstrate that ZCS-D/CN S-scheme heterojunction holds substantial potential for photocatalytic applications, particularly in the efficient production of H2O2.