Synergistic Enhancement of Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction by Built-in Electric Field/Piezoelectric Effect and Surface Plasmon Resonance via PVDF/CdS/Ag Heterostructure

Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 using solar energy is an effective means to achieve carbon neutrality. However, the photocatalytic efficiency still requires improvements. In this study, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ferroelectric/piezoelectric nanofiber membranes are prepared by electrospinning. Cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanosheets are assembled in situ on the surface of PVDF based on coordination between F- and Cd2+, and then Ag nanoparticles are deposited on CdS. Because of the synergistic effect between localized surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles and the built-in electric field of PVDF, the CO2 photocatalytic reduction efficiency using PVDF/CdS/Ag under visible light irradiation is significantly higher than that of any combination of CdS, CdS/Ag, or PVDF/CdS. Under micro-vibration to simulate air flow, the CO2 reduction efficiency of PVDF/CdS/Ag is three times higher than that under static conditions, reaching 240.4 mu mol g(-1) h(-1). The piezoelectric effect caused by micro-vibrations helps prevent the built-in electric field from becoming saturated with carriers and provides a continuous driving force for carrier separation.