Natural Wollastonite-Derived Two-Dimensional Nanosheet Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 as a Novel Carrier of CdS for Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Generation

Jiarong Ma; Run Zhou; Yu Tu; Ruixin Ma; Daimei Chen; Hao Ding

doi:10.3390/catal14030183

Catalysts (Mar 2024)

Natural Wollastonite-Derived Two-Dimensional Nanosheet Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 as a Novel Carrier of CdS for Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Generation

Jiarong Ma,
Run Zhou,
Yu Tu,
Ruixin Ma,
Daimei Chen,
Hao Ding

Affiliations

Jiarong Ma: Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Run Zhou: Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Yu Tu: Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Ruixin Ma: School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, North China Institute of Science and Technology, Langfang 065201, China
Daimei Chen: Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Hao Ding: Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14030183
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 3
p. 183

Abstract

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Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 rods (NS) were synthesized via a hydrothermal method, employing natural wollastonite as a template. The hierarchical Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 rods exhibited vertically oriented nanosheets, resulting in a substantial increase in the specific surface area (from 2.24 m2/g to 178.4 m2/g). Subsequently, a CdS/Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 composite photocatalyst (CdS/NS) was prepared using a chemical deposition method. CdS was uniformly loaded onto the surface of the Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 nanosheets, successfully forming a heterojunction with Ni3Si2O5(OH)4. The CdS/NS photocatalyst in the presence of lactic acid as a sacrificial agent demonstrated an impressive H2 production rate of 4.05 mmol h−1 g−1, around 40 times higher than pure CdS. The photocorrosion of CdS was effectively solved after loading. After four cycles, the performance of CdS/NS remained stable, showing the potential for sustainable applications. After photoexcitation, electrons moved from Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 to the valence band of CdS, where they interacted with the holes via an enhanced interface contact. Simultaneously, electrons in CdS transitioned to its conduction band, facilitating hydrogenation. The enhanced performance was attributed to the improved CdS dispersion by Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 loading and efficient photogenerated carrier separation through the heterojunction formation. This work provides new perspectives for broadening the applications of mineral materials and developing heterojunction photocatalysts with good dispersibility and recyclability.

Published in Catalysts

ISSN: 2073-4344 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology; Science: Chemistry
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/catalysts

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