Charge Transfer Mechanism and Boosted Photocatalytic H 2 O 2 Synthesis Over Cu 2−x S@Au Schottky Junctions

ABSTRACT The photocatalytic synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) is a promising green route, yet its efficiency is generally limited due to insufficient photoelectrons and weak O 2 adsorption at the active sites of photocatalysts. To address these issues, herein Cu 2−x S@Au Schottky junctions have been constructed by decorating Au nanoparticles on the surface of hollow cubic Cu 2−x S nanoboxes. It is demonstrated that the formation of Cu 2−x S@Au Schottky junctions results in the thermoelectron diffusion from Au to Cu 2−x S as the former has a higher Fermi level than the latter. The thermoelectron diffusion process induces electron deficiency in Au nanoparticles, thereby enhancing O 2 adsorption on the Au…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 52162040, Grant No. 52162040