Affiliation:
1. Intermediate Catalysis SABIC-CRD at KAUST Thuwal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
2. KAUST Solar Center Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal 23955-6900 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
3. Institute of Energy Technologies Department of Chemical Engineering and Barcelona Research Center in Multiscale Science and Engineering Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, EEBE Eduard Maristany 10–14 08019 Barcelona Spain
4. SABIC Technology Center Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
AbstractWe present an innovative Z‐scheme photocatalytic system, TiO2/Ag−Pd/Cd0.8Zn0.2S, exhibiting remarkable stability in aqueous solutions containing benzyl alcohol/acetic acid. Its performance rivals that of the benchmark Z‐scheme catalyst, ZnO/Pt/Cd0.8Zn0.2S. Thorough characterizations were performed using XRD, XPS, TEM, and UV‐Vis techniques, examining both the entire Z‐scheme system and its individual components, namely Ag−Pd/TiO2 and Cd0.8Zn0.2S. The standout performer, TiO2/Ag−Pd/Cd0.8Zn0.2S, demonstrated an apparent quantum yield (AQE) of 7 % within the 350–650 nm range. In contrast, AQEs for Ag−Pd/TiO2 and Cd0.8Zn0.2S were 0.6 % and 2.1 %, respectively, under identical conditions. Furthermore, we propose a charge transfer mechanism supported by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (FTAS). This investigation not only introduces a stable Z‐scheme system with superior photocatalytic hydrogen production capabilities but also advances the FTAS technique for mechanistic exploration. In essence, our research paves the way for more efficient metal oxide/metal/Cd(Zn)S hybrid systems in the realm of photocatalysis.