Z-Scheme Nanostructured Metal Sulfides/Ag or RGO/Metal Tungstates Ternary Heterojunctions for Hydrogen Production and Organic Pollutant Degradation

The proposed research project aims to design nanomaterials-based photocatalyst for visible light photocatalytic production of hydrogen and the removal of organic pollutants from water by utilization of the solar energy as a clean, sustainable and renewable energy source. Inspired by the novel physical, optical and chemical properties of nanostructured metal sulfides, metal tungstates, silver and reduced graphene oxide, we aim to design photocatalysts in the form of Z-scheme nanostructured metal sulfides/Ag or RGO/metal tungstates ternary heterojunction. In these compounds Ag or RGO interlayer serves as an electron mediator. Such a photocatalyst is expected to show superior photocatalytic performance due to the strong reaction activity of the Z-scheme heterojunction compared with the general heterojunctions, and the important role of an electron mediator in the visible light absorption and charge carrier transfer at the heterojunction interface. The structural, optical, morphological, and chemical properties will be characterized using several tools. The photocatalytic activity of the designed heterojunction photocatalyst will be investigated by multiple state-of-the-art physicochemical techniques. The importance of our proposed projects consists in the urgent need for exploring clean and renewable energy source to meet the rapid increase in the global energy demand and environmental pollution. The proposed work is in line with the recommended research areas by the DSR and the recent international research trends. The proposed work is in a clear relationship to the technology area of energy and water utilizing the nanotechnology.