Construction and photocatalytic CO₂ reduction performance of S.scheme heterojunction ZnFe₂O₄/WO₃ catalysts

A series of ZnFe2O4/WO3 photocatalysts were constructed by loading ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles on the surface of WO3 nanosheets, and their performance for photocatalytic CO2 reduction was studied. Under the conditions of no cocatalysts and sacrificial agents, the prepared ZnFe2O4/ WO3 composite materials can catalyze the reaction between CO2 and water vapor. After illumination for 5 h, the yields of CO2 reduction products CO and CH4 of the optimal material were 7.87 and 4.88 mu mol center dot g(-1), respectively. Compared to its counterparts, the yields of CO and CH4 were improved. The increased photocatalytic activity of ZnFe2O4/WO3 is attributed to the formation of heterojunctions between ZnFe2O4 and WO3 as well as the S-scheme charge transfer mode of the photogenerated carriers, both of which are conducive to separation efficiency of photo-generated carriers and photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity.