Modulating band structure through introducing Cu 0 /Cu x O composites for the improved visible light driven ammonia synthesis

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 661; p. 271
• Main Authors: Zhang, Huaiwei, Bao, Liang, Zhou, Qingwei, Pan, Ying, Ge, Jingyuan, Du, Jia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 31-01-2024
• Subjects: Cuprous oxide; Ammonia synthesis; Nitrogen adsorption; Defect energy
• ISSN: 1095-7103

The photocatalytic performance of ceria-based materials can be tuned by adjusting the surface structures with decorating the transition-metal, which are considered as the important active sites. Herein, cuprous oxide-metallic copper composite-doped ceria nanorods were assembled through a simple hydrothermal reduction method. The photocatalytic ammonia synthesis rates exhibit an inverted "V-shaped" trend with increasing Cu
/Cu
O mole ratio. The best ammonia production rate, approximately 900 or 521 µmol·g
·h
under full-spectra or visible light, can be achieved when the Cu
/Cu
O ratio is approximately 0.16, and this value is 8 times greater than that of the original sample. The absorption edge of the as-prepared samples shifted towards visible wavelengths, and they also had appropriate ammonia synthesis levels. This research provides a strategy for designing noble metal-free photocatalysts through introducing the metal/metallic oxide compositesto the catalysts.