Efficient production of syngas and lactic acid via CrB MBene/Cd0.8Zn0.2S Schottky heterojunction photocatalysis

The photocatalytic conversion of biomass utilizing two-dimensional (2D) MBene as co-catalyst represents an exemplary approach for the sustainable production of syngas and lactic acid, capitalizing on the renewable resources of biomass carbon and solar energy. In this study, CrB MBene was synthesized via in-situ exfoliation in an HCl aqueous solution and subsequently integrated with Cd 0.8 Zn 0.2 S through an in-situ growth strategy, aiming to facilitate the photocatalytic co-production of lactic acid and syngas. Notably, the CZS/CrB-10 variant demonstrated a remarkable 12.3-fold enhancement in the hydrogen evolution rate (1746.6 μmol g −1 h −1 ) compared to standalone Cd 0.8 Zn 0.2 S, highlighting the exceptional co-catalytic efficiency and air stability of CrB MBene. Under optimal experimental conditions, the lactic acid yield and CO evolution rate attained 75.4 % and 917.8 μmol g −1 h −1 , respectively. The incorporation of CrB MBene as a co-catalyst was found to significantly improve sunlight utilization, enhance the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers, and mitigate the recombination of electrons and holes. This research underscores the potential of CrB MBene as a promising and cost-effective co-catalyst, with implications for advancing artificial photosynthetic systems and the integration of photocatalytic biomass refining with water splitting technologies.