Boosting Photocatalytic H2O2 Generation via Interfacial Engineering in a 2D S-Scheme Hydroxyethyl Cellulose-Modified Graphitic Carbon Nitride/Bismuth Oxybromide Heterojunction

Abstract

Although scalable artificial photosynthesis for H2O2 production is a promising technique, it is not yet widely adopted as an industrially viable process. Herein, a 2D n–n heterojunction photocatalyst has been fabricated by integrating hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)-modified g-C3N4 with BiOBr. The heterojunction is denoted as CN-x/BOB-y, where x and y represent the mass ratios of HEC/g-C3N4 and g-C3N4/BiOBr, respectively. Under simulated visible light irradiation, CN-0.4/BOB-0.5 achieves a remarkable H2O2 production rate of 5897 μM g−1 h−1, outperforming BiOBr and HEC/g-C3N4 by factors of 2.04 and 2.38, respectively. It also records an apparent quantum yield (AQY) and mass-normalized AQY of 0.167% and 8.34E-02 molecules·photon−1·g−1, respectively. The synergy between HEC modification and heterojunction construction underpins the superior performance, driving efficient charge carrier separation alongside a marked increase in specific surface area. Energy band alignment analysis and scavenger trapping experiments collectively reveal that charge carriers in CN-0.4/BOB-0.5 follow an S-scheme charge transfer pathway, enabling enhanced redox capability and efficient charge separation across the built-in electric field within a well-engineered heterojunction. This work presents a novel strategy for constructing a highly efficient photocatalytic system for H2O2 generation under visible light irradiation.