Step-scheme 0D/2D Heterojunctions Based on Ag2S Nanoparticles/Graphite-C3N4 Nanosheets with Enhanced Visible-light Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Performance

doi:10.1007/s40242-025-5164-z

Chemical Research in Chinese Universities ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (2): 637-647.doi: 10.1007/s40242-025-5164-z

Previous Articles Next Articles

Step-scheme 0D/2D Heterojunctions Based on Ag₂S Nanoparticles/Graphite-C₃N₄ Nanosheets with Enhanced Visible-light Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction Performance

WANG Jian^1,2, LI Xin², QU Xin^2,3, FENG Bo^1,2, LI Xuefei¹, LIU Yanqing², WEI Maobin²

1. College of Information Technology, Jilin Engineering Research Center of Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, P. R. China;
2. Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Physics and Chemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Physics, Jilin Normal University, Changchun 130103, P. R. China;
3. Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, P. R. China

Received:2025-08-04 Online:2026-04-01 Published:2026-04-02
Contact: LI Xin,E-mail:xlwl@jlnu.edu.cn;QU Xin,E-mail:quxin515@jlu.edu.cn;WEI Maobin,E-mail:jlsdzccw@126.com E-mail:xlwl@jlnu.edu.cn;quxin515@jlu.edu.cn;jlsdzccw@126.com
Supported by:
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 12204194), the Program for the Development of Science and Technology of Jilin Province, China (Item YDZJ202301ZYTS246, No. 20240601047RC), and the Program for the Science and Technology of Education Department of Jilin Province, China (Nos. JJKH20230507KJ, JJKH20250941KJ).

Abstract

Abstract: Heterostructured photocatalysts are promising candidate materials in the field of photocatalysis. Heterojunctions play an important role in the separation of carriers in space. In this study, a 0D/2D step (S)-scheme heterojunctions were prepared by in-situ growth of Ag₂S nanoparticles (NPs) onto porous graphite (g)-C₃N₄ nanosheets. Ag₂S NPs effectively shortened the diffusion path of carriers, thus promoting interfacial charge migration and further improving surface photocatalytic activity. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical tests indicated an internal electric field formed at the g-C₃N₄/Ag₂S interface, which enabled efficient separation and enhanced the photocatalytic CO₂ reduction activity while preserving the maximum redox capacity of photogenerated carriers. Under the irradiation of visible light, the CO yield of Ag₂S/g-C₃N₄ composites was about 17.24 μmol·g^-1·h^-1 and their CH₄ yield was about 2.36 μmol·g^-1·h^-1, both of which were better than those of Ag₂S and g-C₃N₄. This work provides new insights into novel structures of S-scheme heterojunctions for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction.

Key words: Step-scheme, Photocatalysis, CO₂ reduction, 0D/2D heterojunction

WANG Jian, LI Xin, QU Xin, FENG Bo, LI Xuefei, LIU Yanqing, WEI Maobin. Step-scheme 0D/2D Heterojunctions Based on Ag₂S Nanoparticles/Graphite-C₃N₄ Nanosheets with Enhanced Visible-light Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction Performance[J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2026, 42(2): 637-647.

References

[1] Yoon H. R., Park G. J., Balupuri A., Kang, N. S., Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, 2023, 21, 4683.
[2] Cobas-Carreno M., Esteban-Martos A., Tomas-Gallardo L., Iribarren I., Gonzalez-Palma L., Rivera-Ramos A., Elena-Guerra J., Alarcon-Martin E., Ruiz R., Bravo M. J., Venero J. L., Morató X., Ruiz A., Royo J. L., Molecular Medicine, 2025, 31, 171.
[3] Lo Nostro P., Ninham B. W., Chemical Reviews, 2012, 112, 2286.
[4] Jungwirth P., Cremer P. S., Nature Chemistry, 2014, 6, 261.
[5] Gibb B. C., Nature Chemistry, 2019, 11, 963.
[6] Agarwal R., Gupta M. N., Biotechnology Techniques, 1994, 8, 655.
[7] Sun H., Wang H., Chen Q., Dong W., Gao C., Song H., Peng H., Li R., Wu H., Hou L., Chang Y., Luo H., Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2023, 107, 2639.
[8] Polson C., Sarkar P., Incledon B., Raguvaran V., Grant R., Journal of Chromatography B, 2003, 785, 263.
[9] Beusch C. M., Sabatier P., Zubarev R. A., Analytical Chemistry, 2022, 94, 7066.
[10] Leal S. S., Botelho H. M., Gomes C. M., Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 2012, 256, 2253.
[11] Yoo J., Han J., Lim M. H., RSC Chemical Biology, 2023, 4, 548.
[12] Tamás M. J., Sharma S. K., Ibstedt S., Jacobson T., Christen P., Biomolecules, 2014, 4, 252.
[13] Saporito-Magriñá C. M., Musacco-Sebio R. N., Andrieux G., Andrieux G., Kook L., Orrego M. T., Tuttolomondo M. V., Desimone M. F., Boerries M., Borner C., Repetto M. G., Metallomics, 2018, 10, 1743.
[14] Zuily L., Lahrach N., Fassler R., Genest O., Faller P., Sénèque O., Denis Y., Castanié-Cornet M.-P., Genevaux P., Jakob U., Reichmann D., Giudici-Orticoni M.-T., Ilbert M., mBio, 2022, 13, e03251.
[15] Tsvetkov P., Coy S., Petrova B., Dreishpoon M., Verma A., Abdusamad M., Rossen J., Joesch-Cohen L., Humeidi R., Spangler R. D., Eaton J. K., Frenkel E., Kocak M., Corsello S. M., Lutsenko S., Kanarek N., Santagata S., Golub T. R., Science, 2022, 375, 1254.
[16] Wiebelhaus N., Zaengle-Barone J. M., Hwang K. K., Franz K. J., Fitzgerald M. C., ACS Chemical Biology, 2021, 16, 214.
[17] Macomber L., Rensing C., Imlay J. A., Journal of Bacteriology, 2007, 189, 1616.
[18] Macomber L., Imlay J. A., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2009, 106, 8344.
[19] Moraes D., Assunçao L., Da Silva K., Soares C., Silva-Bailao M., Bailao A., Fungal Biology, 2023, 127, 1551.
[20] Zischka H., Lichtmannegger J., Cellular Copper Toxicity: A Critical Appraisal of Fenton-Chemistry-Based Oxidative Stress in Wilson Disease, Wilson Disease, Academic Press, New York, 2019, 65.
[21] Hyre A., Casanova-Hampton K., Subashchandrabose S., EcoSal Plus, 2021, 9, eESP-0014-2020.
[22] Osman D., Martini M. A., Foster A. W., Chen J. J., Scott A. J. P., Morton R. J., Steed J. W., Lurie-Luke E., Huggins T. G., Lawrence A. D., Deery E., Warren M. J., Chivers P. T., Robinson N. J., Nature Chemical Biology, 2019, 15, 241.
[23] Arnesano F., Scintilla S., Calò V., Bonfrate E., Ingrosso C., Losacco M., Pellegrino T., Rizzarelli E., Natile G., PLoS ONE, 2009, 4, e7052.
[24] Capanni C., Taddei N., Gabrielli S., Messori L., Orioli P., Chiti F., Stefani M., Ramponi G., Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences CMLS, 2004, 61, 982.
[25] Navarra G., Tinti A., Di Foggia M., Leone M., Militello V., Torreggiani A., Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 2014, 137, 64.
[26] Koroleva V., Lavlinskaya M., Holyavka M., Penkov N., Zuev Y., Artyukhov V., Chemistry & Biodiversity, 2024, 21, e202401038.
[27] Lemire J. A., Harrison J. J., Turner R. J., Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2013, 11, 371.
[28] Oliveri V., Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 2020, 422, 213474.
[29] Hunsaker E. W., Franz K. J., Inorganic Chemistry, 2019, 58, 13528.
[30] Zaengle-Barone J. M., Jackson A. C., Besse D. M., Becken B., Arshad M., Seed P. C., Franz K. J., ACS Infectious Diseases, 2018, 4, 117, 1019.
[31] Alisik M., Neselioglu S., Erel O., Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 2019, 43, 269.
[32] Meng H., Ma R., Fitzgerald M. C., Analytical Chemistry, 2018, 90, 9249.
[33] Mcdowell G. S., Gaun A., Steen H., Journal of Proteome Research, 2013, 12, 3809.

Step-scheme 0D/2D Heterojunctions Based on Ag₂S Nanoparticles/Graphite-C₃N₄ Nanosheets with Enhanced Visible-light Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction Performance

Knowledge

Abstract

Cite this article

share this article

References

Related Articles 15

Recommended Articles

Metrics

Comments

[1]	ZHAO Xiaona, HOU Changan, SUN Banglun, WANG Chuanjiao, WANG Danhong. Research Progress of Porous Framework MOFs- and COFs-based Materials for Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2026, 42(1): 184-211.
[2]	NING Lingling, YI Zhihui, ZHOU Yiyang, LI Yikun, LIU Wenping, ZHAO Jing, GUO Shutong, QIU Shengqing, TENG Yuan. Bi and Ag Nanoclusters Dual Plasmonic-cocatalysts Decorating Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ Perovskite for Efficient Photocatalysis [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2026, 42(1): 251-262.
[3]	ZHAI Binjiang, JIANG Yuzhou, ZONG Shichao, WANG Mingzhi, WANG Zixin, JIN Hui, LIU Yanbing, KANG Xing, SHI Jinwen. Molecular-doped Precursor Derived Porous g-C₃N₄ for Photocatalytic H₂ Production [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2026, 42(1): 276-282.
[4]	XIE Siying, GAO Renwu, YI Zhichao, GONG Kun, HUANG Weiya, LU Kangqiang, YU Changlin, YANG Kai. Holmium-engineered Graphitic Carbon Nitride via Molten Salt Synthesis for CO₂ Photoreduction [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2026, 42(1): 305-313.
[5]	WANG Zicong, LI Xi, LIU Yunlong, WU Xiangsi, WU Xianwen, XIA Wu. In situ-illuminated XPS Investigation of S-Scheme Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Nanofiber Photocatalysts for Efficient CO₂ Photoreduction [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2026, 42(1): 343-350.
[6]	SHANG Wei, CHEN Jiahui, QIAO Jianguo, YANG Xiaohang, WANG Pengpeng, LI Dumin, LI Tianxiang, ZHOU Shiyu, JIA Ruokun. Construction of WO₃/CN Z-Type Heterojunction Containing Oxygen Vacancies to Enhance Formaldehyde Degradation Efficiency and Photocatalytic Performance [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2026, 42(1): 351-361.
[7]	LU Chongjiu, GONG Yunnan, ZHONG Dichang, LU Tongbu. Syntheses and Photocatalytic Application of Porous Supramolecular Frameworks [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2025, 41(4): 655-665.
[8]	ZHOU Yu, WANG Weikang, LI Jinhe, REN Wei, WANG Lele, LIU Qinqin. Transition Metal Sulfide Cocatalysts: Applications and Challenges in Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2025, 41(4): 687-703.
[9]	LIU Chuang, GAO Tengyuan, WANG Guohong, CHENG Qiang, WANG Kai. Efficient CO₂ Photoreduction into Solar Fuels over MoO_3-x/COF S-Scheme Photocatalyst [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2025, 41(4): 726-733.
[10]	YU Hong, ZHANG Xuening, CHEN Qian, ZHOU Pan-Ke, XU Fei, WANG Hongqiang, CHEN Xiong. Linkage Conversion in Pyrene-based Covalent Organic Frameworks for Promoted Photocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Generation in a Biphasic System [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2025, 41(4): 734-740.
[11]	WANG Yufan, ZHOU Guosheng, XU Yangrui, CHENG Yu, SONG Minshan, JIN Jie, LIU Xinlin, LU Ziyang. Hydrothermal Synthesis of Inorganic Imprinted Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ Nanosheets for Efficient Selective Photocatalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2025, 41(4): 741-750.
[12]	CHENG Shuilian, FANG Yuxuan, YANG Siyuan, GAO Qiongzhi, CAI Xin ZHANG Shengsen. Synergistic Dual-cocatalyst Modified TiO₂/g-C₃N₄ Heterojunctions for Efficient Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2025, 41(4): 751-759.
[13]	LU Junyu, LU Yunshu, Pitcheri ROSAIAH, LIN Shu, Zada AMIR, QI Kezhen. ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO S-Scheme Heterojunction for Photocatalytic Degradation of Cefalexin and Antimicrobial Properties [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2025, 41(4): 799-811.
[14]	TANG Liguang, XU Huan, XU Yangrui, CHENG Yu, CHU Yansong, FENG Sheng, LIU Haixia, LIU Xinlin, SONG Minshan, LU Ziyang. Cu Sites Synergistic Double Heterojunction Engineering for Enhancing CO₂ Photoreduction [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2025, 41(4): 812-821.
[15]	WU Jingyao, ZHAO Qiang, LV Yujing, WANG Shuo, WANG Pengzhao, LONG Jinlin, WANG Ying. Pyridine Nitrogen-modified Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic One-step 2e^-H₂O₂ Production [J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2025, 41(4): 822-830.