Interplay between the interfacial Mo–N bonds within MoC nanodot/N-doped carbon composites for efficient photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and hydrogen evolution reaction

Yufen Liu, Zhi Yang, Yun Hau Ng*, Jiadong Chen, Jiaxin Li, Qiqi Gan, Qinyou Liu, Xixian Yang, Yueping Fang, Shengsen Zhang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A novel photocatalytic cocatalyst, MoC quantum dots integrated into N-doped carbon microflowers (MoC–NC), was synthesized, establishing a key Mo–N interfacial bond. The Mo–N bond's regulation was achieved by adjusting the pH of Mo-polydopamine precursor solutions. A composite photocatalyst, MoC–NC/CdS (MNS), was formed by in situ growth of nano-CdS on MoC–NC. The pH during synthesis, crucial for Mo–N bond formation, significantly influenced Cr(VI) reduction and H2 evolution performance. The optimal MNS, created at pH 9.0, demonstrated 99.2% reduction efficiency for Cr(VI) in 20 min and H2 evolution rate of 11.4 mmol·g-1·h-1 over 3 h, outperforming Pt/CdS. Mechanistic studies and density functional theory revealed MoC–NC's role in enhancing light absorption, reaction kinetics, and electron transport, attributing to its ultra-small quantum dots and abundant Mo–N bonds.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)147-156
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Materials Science and Technology
Volume215
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 20 2025

Keywords

  • Cr(VI) reduction
  • Hydrogen evolution
  • Interfacial Mo–N chemical bond
  • Molybdenum carbide
  • Photocatalysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Metals and Alloys
  • Materials Chemistry

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