0D/2D Z-schemed carbon nitride quantum dots/Bi2MoO6-x with enhanced carriers’ separation efficiency toward oxidation coupling of amines under ambient conditions

Organic synthesis driven by solar energy is receiving extensive attention due to its inherent merits like higher target product selectivity as well as milder reaction condition. While sluggish photoinduced charge carriers’ separation kinetic severely limited its utilization efficiency, leading to inefficient catalytic performance or energy-consuming reaction conditions. Assembling 0D/2D Z-schemed semiconductor nano-heterojunction would be a promising candidate for solving such problem. Herein, 0D/2D carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQDs)/Bi2MoO6-x (BMO-OD) was devised and synthesized by facile NaBH4-mediated hydrothermal method. The CNQDs/BMO-OD exhibited superior catalytic activity toward amines oxidation coupling under ambient conditions. Broad substrates suitability as well as excellent photochemical stability implies it would be a robust alternative amines oxidation coupling photocatalyst under mild conditions. The superior photocatalytic performance is attributed to expeditious photoinduced charge carriers’ separation and transfer of Z-schemed heterostructures and unique multipoint contact interface of 0D/2D. Scavenger experiments and ESR results demonstrates h+ and •O2– radicals play a major role in aerobic conditions while only h+ paly predominant role in anerobic conditions. The design and synthesis of 0D/2D CNQDs/BMO-OD Z-scheme heterostructures would be beneficial for boosting photoinduced carriers’ separation kinetic, thus promoting the photocatalytic oxidation coupling of amines under mild conditions.