Efficient photocatalytic activity by constructing double anion defects: synergistic and process mechanism

An S-Ov co-modified double defects photocatalyst (S10 %-ZnOov) for efficient degradation of pollutants in the water environment was fabricated by introducing S and Ov into ZnO through simple hydrothermal procedures. The prepared S10 %-ZnOov exhibited enhanced photoactivity (major pollutants degradation within 60 min) and double defects synergistic co-promotion in the photocatalytic system. Experiments, characterization, and DFT calculations confirmed that the introduced S-Ov double defects not only provided stable and efficient electronic channels for electron transfer on the material surface (promoting the separation and transfer process of charges), but also provided abundant active sites (facilitated adsorption and oxide process of H2O and O2 molecules) for the surface catalytic process, which achieved the enhancement of photocatalytic performance and promoted the generation of ROS (H2O2, ·OH and O2·-). This study revealed the synergistic mechanism and catalytic properties of the double defects, providing a new idea for the development of highly active photocatalysts for environmental remediation.