Z-scheme Bi₂S₃/Ag₂S heterojunction as efficient UV, visible and near-infrared responsive photocatalyst for organic pollutants purification

Creating highly efficient UV, visible and near-infrared responsive photocatalysts for purifying organic pollutants is incredibly important. Herein, Bi2S3/Ag2S heterojunctions were successfully synthesized using a straightforward chemical-precipitation technique. The Bi2S3/Ag2S heterojunction with the best performance was identified, showcasing significantly improved photocatalytic activity when exposed to the full spectrum irradiation. Especially under near-infrared irradiation, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency catalyzed by optimum Bi2S3/Ag2S reached 88 %, and this value was nearly 4.4 times greater that of purely pristine Bi2S3. The remarkable improved photocatalytic activity of the heterojunction was primarily attributed to the intense interfacial interaction between Bi(2)S(3 )and Ag2S. This interaction effectively enhanced the separation of photoinduced carriers, imparting the heterojunction with stronger redox capability. The presence of an internal electric field from Ag2S to Bi2S3 was confirmed by theoretical calculation, significantly promoting the consumption of ineffective photoinduced carriers. This study expands the advancement of photocatalysts that are responsive to the entire spectrum for the purification of organic pollutants.