In-situ fabrication of Bi₂S₃/BiVO₄/Mn_0.5Cd_0.5S-DETA ternary S-scheme heterostructure with effective interface charge separation and CO₂ reduction performance

Exploring new and efficient photocatalysts to boost photocatalytic CO₂ reduction is of critical importance for solar-to-fuel conversion. In this study, through the in-situ growth method, a series of S-scheme mechanism Bi₂S₃/BiVO₄/Mn_0.5Cd_0.5S-DETA nanocomposites with good photocatalytic activity were synthesized. The extremely small size of Mn_0.5Cd_0.5S-DETA nanoparticles provides more active sites for photocatalytic reactions. In order to solve the serious shortcomings of sulfide photo-corrosion, BiVO₄ were introduced as oxidation catalyst to consume too many holes and improve the stability of the material. In addition, the in-situ growth method produces the reduction cocatalyst Bi₂S₃ during the BiVO₄ and Mn_0.5Cd_0.5S-DETA recombination process, thereby improving the efficiency of charge transfer at their interface contact. The ternary composite unveils a higher CO₂-reduction rate (44.74 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹) comparing with pristine BiVO₄ (14.11 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹). The enhanced photocatalytic CO₂ reduction performance is due to the special interface structure of the S-scheme Bi₂S₃/BiVO₄/Mn_0.5Cd_0.5S-DETA photocatalyst, which facilitates the charge separation at the interface and improves its photocatalytic activity and stability.