CuS/RGO hybrid photocatalyst for full solar spectrum photoreduction from UV/Vis to near-infrared light

• Main Authors: Wu, Jie, Liu, Baibai, Ren, Zhenxing, Ni, Mengying, Li, Can, Gong, Yinyan, Qin, Wei, Huang, Yongli, Sun, Changqing, Liu, Xinjuan
• Other Authors: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering; Full Solar Light Spectrum Active; CuS
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/142545
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

To make full use of the solar energy, it remains a great challenge for semiconductor photocatalysts to harvest the full solar light spectrum from ultraviolet (UV) to visible even the near infrared (NIR) wavelength. Here we show firstly the CuS/RGO (reduced graphene oxide) hybrid photocatalyst synthesized via a microwave assisted method with full solar light (UV-Vis-NIR) active for efficient Cr(VI) reduction. The CuS/RGO displays high absorption and catalytic activity in the UV, visible and even the NIR light regions. As co-catalyst, RGO can separate and inhibit the recombination of charge carriers, consequently improving the catalytic activity. Only 1wt% RGO emersions can reduce 90% of Cr(VI) under the radiation of light over the full spectrum. Findings may provide a new strategy and substance to expand the utilization range of solar light from UV to visible even the NIR energy.