Tuning, Optimizing and Synergized Coupling of Weak Force Polarizable Embedded S-Scheme Photocatalyst: A Potent and Sustainable Interface Heterojunction

Construction of solar energy harvesting chalcogenides heterojunctions could reign as photocatalysts due to significant chemical modulation and transformations with light irradiation. However, for significant utilizations of light, band gap engineering, charge carrier separation/transfer, and stability of selenides are leftovers challenges. Inspired by this, in the forefront a novel promising, eco-friendlier, and efficient visible light responsive piezoelectric built-in interface (ZnSe@Sb 2 Se 3 ) heterojunction was successfully constructed. Characterizations as HR-TEM, SEM, Raman, XPS, XRD, etc. confirmed the optimized coupling of Sb 2 Se 3 /ZnSe built-in interfaces. The shape, crystallinity and d-spacing of synthesized heterojunction deduced from HR-TEM, SAED, SEM and XRD are in agreement and further strengthen the confirmation of optimized heterojunction formation. The resulted intimate heterojunction were applied for photocatalysis of cefixime (Cf) and Cr 6+ reduction. The piezo induce carriers acts as a center to stabilize intrinsic point defects and dangling bonds at grain boundaries hence improve photocatalytic performance. The X-ray photoelectron study and experimental results reveal the great photocatalytic potential of heterojunction reflected by higher redox capacity and extraordinary light harvesting of the built-in interface, synergizing piezo-photo charge carrier separation/transfer via S-scheme charge transfer. It is revealed that the hole in heterojunction was generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), primarily responsible for the photocatalysis of contaminants. These statistical parameters demonstrate the suitability of the proposed model and experimental data.