Accelerating Photogenerated Charge Kinetics via the Synergetic Utilization of 2D Semiconducting Structural Advantages and Noble-Metal-Free Schottky Junction Effect.

Although photocatalysis is one of the most promising technologies for environmental and energy issues, the irreconcilable contradiction between the absorption of the visible light and the strong redox capability of the photocatalyst and the low photocatalytic reaction kinetics result in the poor efficiency. Here, a composite photocatalyst is reported with high redox capability and accelerated reaction kinetics synergistically utilizing 2D semiconducting structural advantages and the noble-metal-free Schottky junction effect. The 2D structure can not only increase the bandgap of the photocatalyst but also improve the transfer and separation of the photogenerated charge carriers. Furthermore, the introduction of the noble-metal-free Schottky junction effect accelerates the photocatalytic reaction kinetics. The Schottky barrier can also prevent the photogenerated charges trapped by the electron acceptor from flowing back to the semiconductor, which can further boost the photocatalytic performance. The transfer process of the photogenerated charge carriers is also researched in detail by the comprehensive characterization methods, which enable the photocatalytic mechanism to be revealed.