Zn-P bond induced S-scheme heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic tetracycline degradation synergistic H2 generation

A Zn-P bond oriented black phosphorus/CuInZnS S-scheme heterojunction was successfully constructed for tetracycline (TC) degradation and synergistic H2 generation. An enhanced photocatalytic H2 revolution rate of 2056.0 μmol/h/g was achieved with triethanolamine (TEOA) as the hole sacrifice agent, which was nearly two times higher than that of CuInZnS (CIZS) and 170 times that of black phosphorus (BP). To further improve the hole utilization rate and reduce the energy consumption, an appropriate amount of TC was added instead of TEOA, and an improved photocatalytic H2 generation rate of 1921.2 μmol/g was obtained with the synergistic degradation of TC by 82%. The types of heterojunctions and the transfer process of carriers were investigated by the combination of Mott-Schottky curves, Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–vis diffuser reflectance spectra, and density functional theory. The results showed that a S-scheme heterojunction is built in BP/CIZS, which maintained the high redox ability of electron-hole pairs based on the successful separation of carriers. In addition, the novel Zn-P bond provided a charge transport channel and catalytic reaction active center upon photocatalysis. The design and application of photocatalysts proposed in this work offered a new idea for the coordinated resolution of environmental purification and energy conversion problems. •Zn-P bond induced BP/CIZS heterojunction was designed for waste to hydrogen conversion.•The hybrid has richer reactive sites, enhanced charge transfer and sunlight response ability.•Enhanced water splitting activity is achieved by the assistance of tetracycline.•A systematic study of photocatalytic mechanism was proposed.