F− surface modified ZnO for enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production and its fs-TAS investigation

Pure ZnO exhibits low photocatalytic H2O2 production activity due to the rapid charge recombination. To realize the spatial separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, constructing an electron transfer channel on the ZnO surface is an effective approach. This study successfully modified the su...

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Main Authors: Xin Zhou, Chenbin Ai, Xiaojing Wang, Zhen Wu, Jianjun Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Materiomics
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352847824002132
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author Xin Zhou
Chenbin Ai
Xiaojing Wang
Zhen Wu
Jianjun Zhang
author_facet Xin Zhou
Chenbin Ai
Xiaojing Wang
Zhen Wu
Jianjun Zhang
author_sort Xin Zhou
collection DOAJ
description Pure ZnO exhibits low photocatalytic H2O2 production activity due to the rapid charge recombination. To realize the spatial separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, constructing an electron transfer channel on the ZnO surface is an effective approach. This study successfully modified the surface of ZnO using F− (ZnO/F) by introducing NH4F in an aqueous phase photocatalytic system. The F− is adsorbed on the ZnO surface by Coulombic force and significantly improves the photocatalytic H2O2 production performance of ZnO, with the highest efficiency of 4137.2 μmol⋅g−1·L−1·h–1. The photocatalytic performance enhancement mechanism of ZnO/F is explained in terms of electron transfer dynamics by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (fs-TAS) measurements. F− surface modification constructs a new ultrafast electron transport pathway from the ZnO CB to F−, and the optimal ZnO/F exhibits the fastest interfacial electron transfer lifetime of 5.8 ps. The F− surface modification effectively facilitates the charge separation, thereby increasing the number of electrons available for photocatalytic H2O2 reaction. This study has revealed the roles of F− surface modification in the photocatalytic H2O2 production by ZnO and provides guidance for ionic modification to improve photocatalytic performance.
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spelling doaj-art-e9f85914f9334fb4b8fce1293e83029a2025-08-20T02:03:07ZengElsevierJournal of Materiomics2352-84782025-05-0111310097410.1016/j.jmat.2024.100974F− surface modified ZnO for enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production and its fs-TAS investigationXin Zhou0Chenbin Ai1Xiaojing Wang2Zhen Wu3Jianjun Zhang4College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China; Department of Chemical Engineering, Ordos Institute of Technology, Ordos, 017000, Inner Mongolia, China; Laboratory of Solar Fuel, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, ChinaLaboratory of Solar Fuel, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, ChinaCollege of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China; Corresponding author.Department of Chemical Engineering, Ordos Institute of Technology, Ordos, 017000, Inner Mongolia, ChinaLaboratory of Solar Fuel, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China; Corresponding author.Pure ZnO exhibits low photocatalytic H2O2 production activity due to the rapid charge recombination. To realize the spatial separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, constructing an electron transfer channel on the ZnO surface is an effective approach. This study successfully modified the surface of ZnO using F− (ZnO/F) by introducing NH4F in an aqueous phase photocatalytic system. The F− is adsorbed on the ZnO surface by Coulombic force and significantly improves the photocatalytic H2O2 production performance of ZnO, with the highest efficiency of 4137.2 μmol⋅g−1·L−1·h–1. The photocatalytic performance enhancement mechanism of ZnO/F is explained in terms of electron transfer dynamics by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (fs-TAS) measurements. F− surface modification constructs a new ultrafast electron transport pathway from the ZnO CB to F−, and the optimal ZnO/F exhibits the fastest interfacial electron transfer lifetime of 5.8 ps. The F− surface modification effectively facilitates the charge separation, thereby increasing the number of electrons available for photocatalytic H2O2 reaction. This study has revealed the roles of F− surface modification in the photocatalytic H2O2 production by ZnO and provides guidance for ionic modification to improve photocatalytic performance.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352847824002132Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopyHydrogen peroxide productionElectron quenching dynamicsInterfacial electron transferElectron transfer mechanism
spellingShingle Xin Zhou
Chenbin Ai
Xiaojing Wang
Zhen Wu
Jianjun Zhang
F− surface modified ZnO for enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production and its fs-TAS investigation
Journal of Materiomics
Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy
Hydrogen peroxide production
Electron quenching dynamics
Interfacial electron transfer
Electron transfer mechanism
title F− surface modified ZnO for enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production and its fs-TAS investigation
title_full F− surface modified ZnO for enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production and its fs-TAS investigation
title_fullStr F− surface modified ZnO for enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production and its fs-TAS investigation
title_full_unstemmed F− surface modified ZnO for enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production and its fs-TAS investigation
title_short F− surface modified ZnO for enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production and its fs-TAS investigation
title_sort f surface modified zno for enhanced photocatalytic h2o2 production and its fs tas investigation
topic Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy
Hydrogen peroxide production
Electron quenching dynamics
Interfacial electron transfer
Electron transfer mechanism
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352847824002132
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AT xiaojingwang fsurfacemodifiedznoforenhancedphotocatalytich2o2productionanditsfstasinvestigation
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